Medicaid Unwinding in Minnesota: What You Need to Know If You Lose Coverage
Key takeaways:
Medicaid renewals in Minnesota are changing because of the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023. This is being called the unwinding of Medicaid, and some people will lose coverage during this process.
During the PHE, Medicaid renewals weren’t required and enrollees had continuous coverage. As part of the unwinding process, automatic renewals for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) stopped nationwide on March 31, 2023.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) oversees Minnesota’s Medicaid program, known as Medical Assistance, and MinnesotaCare, another state health insurance option for people with low incomes. Make sure DHS has your current contact information now that eligibility reviews have resumed. If the state can’t reach you, or if you no longer qualify for coverage, you could be disenrolled as early as July 1, 2023.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 in January 2020. The PHE was renewed a dozen times through February 2023.
People who were eligible for Medicaid coverage during the PHE were able to keep their insurance even if they were no longer eligible. This is because all states — including Minnesota — were mandated to provide continuous coverage during the PHE.
But the PHE ended in May 2023 and automatic renewals for Medicaid have stopped. This process is already underway and could cause 8 million to 24 million enrollees nationwide to lose coverage.
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Minnesota has resumed eligibility reviews for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees. This is called the redetermination process. Anyone who no longer qualifies could be disenrolled as early as July 1, 2023. State officials estimate that 100,000 to 300,000 people could lose coverage during this process.
Here’s what you need to know about Medicaid changes in Minnesota, and what to do if you lose your insurance coverage.
Why is Medicaid changing nationwide?
After the PHE ends, COVID-19 will remain a public health priority — just not an emergency. As part of this process, Medicaid renewals will no longer be automatic. This is being referred to as the unwinding of Medicaid.
The unwinding will affect Medicaid in every state, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories.
What’s happening with Medicaid renewal in Minnesota?
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) oversees the state’s Medicaid program, which is called Medical Assistance, as well as MinnesotaCare, another health insurance option for people with low incomes, which has higher income limits.
DHS has an unwinding plan that outlines how the state plans to conduct eligibility reviews for 1.5 million enrollees, which is about 1 in 4 Minnesotans. The state has also launched a website to help people understand the renewal process.
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Notices were mailed in March 2023 for enrollees with July 2023 renewal dates. The unwinding period will continue through July 2024, when the last renewals are due. MinnesotaCare renewals restart in October 2023 for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2024. You can check your renewal date with the renewal lookup tool.
It’s important for DHS to have your mailing address, phone number, and email address. You can confirm or update your household’s contact information with DHS by:
Calling DHS Health Care Consumer Support at 800-657-3672 or 651-297-3862.
Contacting your county or tribe if people in your household have both Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare
If you qualify and DHS can’t reach you when it’s time to renew, you could lose your coverage for procedural reasons.
What to expect during the renewal process
Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees will receive a letter in a renewal envelope that has a blue circle and “important information enclosed” marked on it.
The letter may say that the state has enough eligibility information from other programs to renew your household’s coverage automatically. If the information on the form is correct, you’re done. If not, write your corrections on the form and submit the document.
If the state doesn’t have enough information to renew your coverage automatically, there will be a renewal form inside the envelope. A cover letter will have instructions telling you what to do next and a due date.
You can submit your completed renewal form in these ways:
Mail: Place your documents in the return envelope provided, add postage, and mail.
Electronically: Upload the documents.
In person: Drop off the documents to the agency listed as the return address on your paperwork.
Fax: Fax the documents to the agency listed as the return address on your paperwork.
Phone: Contact your county or tribe to give information verbally over the phone. (This method may take an hour or longer.)
If DHS has your cell number, you will receive a text message from 28343 when your renewal envelope is mailed and to remind you to submit your information by the deadline.
You can call DHS Health Care Consumer Support at 800-657-3672 or 651-297-3862.
Tribal health and Medicaid unwinding
State liaisons are reaching out to people who are enrolled in Medicaid and who are also members of or affiliated with Native American tribes. The National Indian Health Board estimates that as many as 236,000 American Indians and Alaska Natives nationwide could lose coverage during the unwinding process.
Minnesota has special access to coverage and care for Native American persons enrolled in Medical Assistance. The National Indian Health Board estimates 5,959 to 6,340 Minnesotans with tribal affiliations could be at risk of losing their health coverage during the unwinding.
What should I do if I lose my Medicaid coverage in Minnesota?
In order to receive Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, you must meet all of the following criteria:
You must be a Minnesota resident.
You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or legal resident.
You must need assistance with access to healthcare or insurance coverage.
Your annual household income before taxes must be below the limit for your household size.
In Minnesota, you may also qualify for these public health insurance programs for reasons other than income, such as if you are:
Pregnant
A child or teenager
Responsible for the care of a child who is 18 years old or younger
Blind
Age 65 or older (and meet certain criteria)
A person with a disability, or you have a person in your household who has a qualifying disability
A former foster child
In need of nursing home care
Age 19 and older with family planning needs
In need of treatment for breast or cervical cancer (and have been screened or are still undergoing treatment)
If you no longer qualify or the DHS can’t reach you, you will no longer be able to use your benefits, which could leave you temporarily uninsured.
If you lose your coverage but believe you still qualify, you can reapply for Medicaid. You may be uninsured for a while until you’re approved for coverage again.
If you lost coverage because you didn’t submit your renewal on time, your case can be reconsidered if you submit your form within 90 days of the due date. After that three-month grace period, you will have to reapply.
If you choose not to reapply for Medicaid coverage, or if you’re no longer eligible, you may qualify for other low-cost or free healthcare options. You can also use GoodRx coupons to save on your prescription medications.
In addition, you may be able to enroll in an alternative health insurance plan such as:
Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace: You may be able to find an ACA health plan on MNsure, Minnesota’s ACA marketplace. If you qualify for a premium subsidy, you may be able to pay $10 or less per month. If you lose Medicaid, you can purchase a plan on MNsure during the unwinding special enrollment period from March 31, 2023, to July 31, 2024.
Employer plan: Your company may offer employer-sponsored health insurance.
Medicare: If you have a qualifying disability or condition — such as end-stage renal disease or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease — you can enroll in Medicare at any age.
Partner’s plan: If you have a spouse or domestic partner who has insurance, you may be able to join their plan during an open enrollment or special enrollment period.
Special plans: Short-term insurance can be a great choice if you anticipate that a better option, like job-based health insurance, will be available soon. You may also consider alternative and limited-benefit plans, such as fixed indemnity, accident, cost-sharing, and catastrophic insurance plans.
Student health plan: If you’re enrolled in a college or university, you may be eligible for a campus health plan.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits: If you are an active-duty service member or a veteran, you may qualify for TRICARE coverage or VA benefits and services.
Minnesota Medicaid resources
Here are some resources where you can learn more about Medicaid in Minnesota and upcoming changes related to the end of the public health emergency:
Minnesota Medicaid office: The Minnesota Department of Human Services oversees and administers the state’s Medicaid program, called Medical Assistance, and MinnesotaCare, another public health insurance program for people with low incomes.
Minnesota Medicaid unwinding timeline: Read more about how DHS plans to renew about 1.5 million Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees over the next year.
Minnesota Medicaid office phone assistance: You can call DHS Health Care Consumer Support at 800-657-3672 or 651-297-3862.
The bottom line
Automatic Medicaid renewals stopped on March 31, 2023, in advance of the COVID-19 public health emergency’s conclusion on May 11, 2023.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has started reviewing Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees. The first notices were sent to Medical Assistance enrollees with July 2023 renewal dates. MinnesotaCare enrollees will receive notices in October 2023 for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2024.
It’s important to update your contact information with DHS so that you can be reached when it is your turn to renew.
DHS will confirm eligibility for some people automatically. If your case can’t be processed this way, you’ll be sent a renewal letter in the mail. Be sure to submit the form and supporting documentation by the due date.
If you lose your Medicaid, you may still qualify for other health insurance options, such as an ACA marketplace plan, Medicare, or job-based coverage.
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References
Callaghan, P. (2023). At least 100,000 low-income Minnesotans on Medicaid could lose coverage as federal COVID rules wind down. MinnPost.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2023). Temporary special enrollment period (SEP) for consumers losing Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage due to unwinding of the Medicaid continuous enrollment condition – Frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Renew your Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2023). Unwinding and returning to regular operations after COVID-19.
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (n.d.). Insurance Affordability Programs (IAPs) income and asset guidelines.
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2023). Be prepared to renew.
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Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2023). Next steps after getting your renewal information.
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2023). Overview: Resuming public health care program renewals
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2023). Registration.
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2023). Renewing health care coverage.
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Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2023). Restarting renewals timeline.
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2023). Submit your renewal for Medical Assistance by uploading your documents online.
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2023). Submit your renewal paperwork to keep your health care insurance.
Minnesota Department of Human Services. (2016). Medical Assistance (MA).
MNsure. (n.d.). American Indians.
The National Indian Health Board. (2023). National Indian Health Board's Medicaid unwinding webinar: Unwinding updates and best practices for Tribal Enrollment Assisters.
Tolbert, J., et al. (2023). 10 things to know about the unwinding of the Medicaid continuous enrollment provision. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Tribal Health Reform Resource Center. (n.d.). Medicaid Unwinding.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022). VA & TRICARE information.
