This report describes the data collection process and methodology behind the Minnesota Health Access Survey (MNHA), emphasizing the most recent administration of the survey completed in 2019. The 2019 MNHA represents a break in series, involving for the first time the blending of two sample frames: the introduction of an address based frame and retention of a smaller dual landline/cell telephone frame used in all past MNHA surveys. This report describes this decision and the upshot for other aspects of the methodology.

Overview of MNHA

The Minnesota Health Access Survey (MNHA) is a biennial survey of non-institutionalized Minnesota residents. The survey collects detailed information on health insurance coverage options, access to coverage and health care services, and basic demographic data. The goal of the survey is to document trends in health insurance coverage, and access to insurance and health care at the state and regional level, as well as for select subpopulations (e.g., rural, low-income families, populations of color and American Indians). The MNHA represents a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Health Economics Program and the University of Minnesota’s State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC). 

The MNHA data play an important role in monitoring trends in health insurance coverage, evaluating and informing health policy development in Minnesota on topics such as affordability of coverage, access to healthcare, and redesign of public program coverage. The MNHA provides precise and timely estimates on a range of coverage and access relevant questions, is adaptable and responsive to developing state health policy issues, and ensures the availability of micro-data for time sensitive research and policy analysis.

The MNHA has been conducted a number of times over the years: in 1990, 1995, 1999, 2001, 2004, and every two years beginning in 2007.¹ This technical report focuses primarily on the 2019 MNHA, providing some cumulative data in table form.²