Minnesota Medical Assistance (Medicaid) renewal

Need to renew your health plan? Here’s a guide on the renewal process in Minnesota

If you or someone you know received a letter asking you to renew your Medical Assistance (Medicaid) or MinnesotaCare, you may be concerned or have questions about what this means. As health plan simplifiers, we’re here to help.

Simplifying Medical Assistance (Medicaid) renewal

People in Minnesota have had ongoing coverage of their Medical Assistance plan for the last few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first year in a while that people will have to renew their eligibility, which can lead to some confusion or uncertainty. Here are some answers to questions you may have.

What is Medical Assistance (Medicaid) redetermination and renewal?

A renewal is a review of your income and other information to see if you and other family members are still eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare.

How do I know if I need to renew my health insurance coverage?

Everyone with Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare needs to go through the renewal process to see if they are still eligible.

What do I need to do in the renewal process?

If you have Medical Assistance, you can expect to get renewal forms about two months before the month you originally applied for health insurance. For example, if you applied in July, your renewal forms will be mailed to you in May. Do not worry if you don’t remember when you applied. The Department of Human Services (DHS) will mail renewal forms to you when it is time to renew your plan.

Can I return my renewal form after the due date?

Yes. Complete and return your renewal form as soon as you can, even if your coverage ended. Your county, tribal office or the Department of Human Services (DHS) will review your case. your case again if we get your renewal form within four months after your coverage closed. After that, you will need to reapply.

What happens if I don’t return my renewal form?

Your health insurance coverage will end.

How often will I need to renew my health insurance moving forward?

Most Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare enrollees have a renewal once a year.

When will my renewal form be processed?

Renewal forms are processed in the order they are received at your county, tribal agency or the Department of Human Services (DHS). Your renewal will take longer if it is not complete or not signed. Answer all the questions and sign your renewal form to help us process it faster.

DHS will notify you when your renewal form has been processed and will send a notice if they need more information from you to decide your eligibility. DHS will send a notice to tell you whether your eligibility has been renewed.

If I’m no longer eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, how long do I have to enroll in a new health plan?

You qualify for a special enrollment period to enroll in individual and family insurance, or private insurance, through MNsure. This enrollment period runs for a limited amount of time following the date you lost Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare eligibility.

Please check your paperwork from DHS for your renewal date.

You may be eligible for financial help through MNsure to lower the cost of your new coverage.

Is your Medical Assistance coverage ending?

If you're losing your Medical Assistance coverage, you have options. If you don’t have access to health insurance through an employer and don’t qualify for government programs, like Medical Assistance or Medicare, individual and family health plans (sometimes called qualified health plans or private insurance) are probably a good fit for you.

Find a new health plan

Individual and family plans are for Minnesotans who buy health coverage on their own. We offer a variety of plan options so you can choose one that fits just right for you and your family.

Get financial help to lower your premiums

Subsidies are available through MNsure to help pay for your plan. Most Minnesotans qualify for financial help, with the average household saving $560 each month. If you are transitioning from Medical Assistance to a plan you purchase on your own, be sure to enroll through MNsure so you don’t miss out on a potential subsidy.

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