Health Economics Program
Annual Work
- Chartbooks
- Health Access Survey
- Minnesota All Payer Claims Database (MN APCD)
- Health Care Quality Measures
- Rx Price Transparency
Special Projects
- Market Oversight
- Study of Telehealth Expansion
- Hospital Bed Moratorium
- Universal Health Care Finance System
- Implementation Updates
Email Subscription
Health Economics Program
The Health Economics Program (HEP) conducts empirical, objective research and applied policy analysis to monitor changes in the health care marketplace; to understand factors influencing health care cost, quality and access; and to provide technical assistance in the development of state health care policy.
We maintain a range of Data Resources for analysis, and publish reports, papers, issue briefs, presentations and more in our Publications library.
MN Health Access Survey
Check out the results of HEP's most recent 2023 MNHA survey Key Findings from the 2023 Minnesota Health Access Survey (MNHA) (PDF).
Spending, Prices, and Use
Learn more about the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on health care in Minnesota in Health Care Spending, Prices, and Use in Minnesota: 2017 to 2021 (PDF).
MN Study of Telehealth Expansion
Dive into HEP's final report, nine recommendations, and set of supplemental reports on the Telehealth Publications webpage.
Recent Publications
This issue brief provides estimates of health care spending for Minnesota residents in 2021. It also explores health care spending growth, how enrollment in types of coverage contributes to spending, and includes information on the drivers of spending. (October 2024)
Key Trends for Minnesota Health Care Spending in 2021 (PDF)
Infographic: Minnesota Health Care Spending in 2021 (PDF)
Data Short Take: Minnesota Health Care Spending Trends, 2017-2021 (PDF)
Chartbook: Minnesota Health Care Spending and Cost Drivers (PDF)
Supplemental Information: Historical Health Care Spending Estimate Methodology (PDF)
This issue brief provides the most recent health care spending projections for Minnesota residents from 2022 through 2031. Using historical data and statistical methods, this brief summarizes projected health care spending growth by type of payer and service category. (October 2024)
Minnesota Health Care Spending Projections, 2022 to 2031: Key Trends (PDF)
Supplemental Information: Health Care Spending Projections Methodology 2022-2031 (PDF)
This final report to the Minnesota Legislature summarizes findings from a wide range of qualitative and quantitative studies conducted by MDH and its partners. A synthesis of study results suggests the overall conclusion that, to date, telehealth has expanded access to health care without appearing to compromise health care quality or patient satisfaction. (September 2024)
A set of supplements are available on the Telehealth Publications webpage.
This report details reasons for the prolonged transfer and discharge delays experienced by mental health and substance use disorder patients who seek hospital care in Minnesota. The 14-day study included 33 emergency departments and 13 inpatient units at Minnesota hospitals and was conducted in partnership with Wilder Research. (July 2024)
Transfer and Discharge Delays for Behavioral Health Patients at Minnesota Hospitals (PDF)
This report presents administrative spending data for health insurance carriers that collected more than $3 million in total health premiums form Minnesota residents in 2020 and 2021. The report includes a summary of high-level trends, findings, and detailed tables for each eligible Minnesota group purchaser on 14 categories of administrative spending. (June 2024)
Administrative Costs of Minnesota Health Plans in 2020 and 2021 (PDF)
This report is the third RxPT legislative report. It presents analysis of the information reported to MDH through June 2023, provides a summary and timeline for the implementation of new work, and assess the Act's progress toward statutory goals. (May 2024)
Minnesota Prescription Drug Price Transparency: 2024 Report to the Minnesota Legislature (PDF)
This issue brief shares findings from the 2023 Minnesota Health Access Survey. Data show mixed results regarding health insurance coverage in the state during 2023. (April 2024)
Findings from the 2023 Minnesota Health Access Survey (MNHA) (PDF)
As a responsibility under the Minnesota hospital construction moratorium, the Minnesota Department of Health conducted a public interest review for a proposal by Nobis Rehabilitation Holdings, LLC to construct a 60-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Roseville, Minnesota. The review finds that the proposal is not in the public interest; it contains MDH’s analysis, comments MDH received, and supporting information. (February 2024)
This brief relies upon data from the MN APCD and methods developed by the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) to produce population-based estimates of spending, use, and prices for medical care and prescription drugs. (November 2023)
Health Care Spending, Prices, and Use in Minnesota: 2017 to 2021 (PDF)
Health Care Spending, Prices, and Use in Minnesota: 2017 to 2021 - Supplement (PDF)
The Minnesota Legislature passed legislation in 2023 (Minnesota Statutes, section 62J.826) which requires hospitals and certain medical and dental practices to post standard charges on their websites. This fact sheet provides information on what types of practices are impacted, the effective dates, required file format and content, and where the information should be posted. (November 2023)
Pricing Transparency: Medical and Dental Standard Charges (PDF)
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