Last updated May 9, 2024

 When to use: 

The Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19 was declared March 2020. Since this date, Medical Assistance enrollees were not required to renew their eligibility including those that were new to Medical Assistance after the March 2020 date. The unwinding of the Medical Assistance programs renewal process will begin in April 2023 for all of those who were on Medical Assistance programs.

The Senior LinkAge line will help callers or people at outreach events understand what they need to do so they don’t lose their Medical Assistance, Medicare Savings Program and/or prescription drug LIS program eligibility.

 Minnesota Health Care Programs Post-Unwinding Eligibility Policies: 

This DHS bulletin announces the end of Minnesota’s unwinding period effective June 1, 2024, the resumption of periodic data matching for some MHCP enrollees and provides information about certain temporary strategies that will continue through December 2024. Beginning with renewals due for July 2024 eligibility, enrollees in the asset disregard group will start to have their second annual renewals conducted after March 31, 2023, and program asset limits will apply. The temporary asset disregard will be phased out over 12 months starting with the July 2024 renewal cohort and ending with the June 2025 renewal cohort.

 NEW DHS Medicare Savings Program Ex Parte Bulletin modifies renewal process for MA-ABD and MSP enrollees: 

Federal Medicaid regulations require states to attempt to confirm an enrollee’s eligibility using information in the case file and reliable electronic sources before sending a paper renewal form and requesting information. This simplified renewal process is known as an ex parte renewal process.

Groups of enrollees that workers must attempt to renew eligibility for through the ex parte process: 1. MA-ABD enrollees with certain types of income 2. MA-ABD enrollees with no income 3. MA-ABD enrollees with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 4. TEFRA enrollees 5. Enrollees with 1619(a) or 1619(b) status 6. MSP-only enrollees 7. Enrollees receiving Medical Assistance for Long-Term Care Services. See Bulletin

 All enrollees in a Medical Assistance program will be affected by this process including enrollees in: 

• Medical Assistance, SNBC, MSC+, MSHO, MA-EPD
  • Most older adults are enrolled in MSC+ or MSHO health plan to receive their Medical Assistance benefits due to the state requirement.
• Medicare Savings Programs
• Waivers
• MinnesotaCare (this does not affect Medicare beneficiaries)

 Renewal process: 

The renewal process will begin in April 2023. It will be done based on the last month they completed a renewal or new application for Medical Assistance. For example, if the last time they did a renewal was in August 2019, they will receive the renewal packet in August 2023.

As of April 2024, DHS is mailing Pre-renewal Notices to MA and Medicare Savings Program enrollees whose recertification date is approaching. Proof of asset eligibility is required. See DHS-8269 Notice. 

 What people need to do: 

1. Ensure that if they have moved or changed their address that they have updated the information with the county, Tribe, or health plan. The only option is to call the office to update addresses.
2. Determine what month they enrolled in MA
3. Watch for mail from their county, Tribe or health plan and respond before the due date. For those on Medicare Savings Program, (MSP) a notice will be mailed to them about the need to complete a renewal.

 What they can expect: 

• DHS will send a pre-renewal notice 3 months before the anniversary of their enrollment date
• The county, health plan or Tribe will send a packet for renewal 
• When it is time to renew, DHS will send a notice explaining what to do
  • If they can automatically renew, a notice will be sent with an information summary
    • The person must review the information summary to make sure all the information is correct (Ex parte)
    • Nothing needs to be done, unless there is a change or correction to report
  • If they cannot automatically renew, DHS will send a renewal form to the enrollee which must be completed, signed, and include proof of eligibility and mail to the entity that sent the application to them
• The form must be returned with required proofs by the due date
• When the completed form is received, decision will be made whether they remain eligible for Medical Assistance and written notice will be issued. Appeal rights will be available if denied.

 Procedure for Senior LinkAge Line calls received about MA renewal: 

1. Ask if they are receiving Medical Assistance through a health plan, county or Tribe. Check in MMIS if staff has access.
2. Ask if they have moved or changed phone number in the past 3 years. If so, they need to call the appropriate phone number to get their address corrected.
3. Provide them the phone number of their health plan, county, or Tribe to verify the address. (See links below)
4. Provide them the timeline of when they should expect the renewal packet based on their last application or renewal date - renewal timeline
5. Document the actions taken in the CTS and select Medical Assistance, waivers, MA-EPD or Medicare Savings Program activity in the Topics table.
6. Most enrollees that indicate they have Medical Assistance, Medicare Savings Program or waivers need to complete their renewal; failure to complete a renewal will most likely remove them from the programs and will affect their Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy enrollment.
7. If they have received their packet, provide application assistance over the phone, if requested.
8. During outreach events, encourage staff to talk to people that come to events or training to make sure they have updated their address and phone numbers. Inform them of the need to comply with the renewal process.
9. EXCEPTIONS: When requested and available, in-person assistance will be provided by volunteers and staff at available Senior LinkAge Line community locations.

 Helpful Links: 

Renew my coverage - Look up when Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare renewal forms will arrive in the mail
Medicare Savings Program (MSP) while on COVID Medical Assistance (MA)
Toolkits
Renewal Dashboard
Renew Coverage Timeline
County phone numbers
Tribal phone numbers
Health Plan phone numbers
Medicaid Matters Dashboard
2.3.3.4.2 MA-ABD Health Care Expenses (state.mn.us)
EPM 2.4.2.5.1 MA-LTC Income Calculation Deductions

 DHS Bulletins: 

May 23, 2023 - DHS Announces a Simplified Renewal Process for Certain MA-ABD Enrollees
May 15, 2023 - DHS Revises the MHCP Application, Renewal and Supplement Forms for Certain Populations
April 19, 2023 - Updates to Cost-Effective Health Insurance for Medical Assistance
April 17, 2023 - DHS Announces New Minnesota Health Care Programs Renewal Form for Families, Children, and Adults 
April 17, 2023 - DHS Announces Key MHCP Eligibility Policies during the Unwinding Period
April 11, 2023 - DHS Announces the Resumption of Minnesota Health Care Programs Annual Eligibility Renewals