Noncitizen adults

Beginning Oct. 1, 2026, federal law changes who can qualify for federally funded Medical Assistance based on immigration status. This includes who can qualify for Medicaid programs and subprograms including:

  • Medical Assistance (MA), 
  • Medicare Savings Programs (MSP): Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB), Service Limited Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB), Qualified Individuals (QI) and Qualified Working Disabled (QWD), and 
  • The Minnesota Family Planning Program (MFPP).
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Does this apply to me?

This applies to noncitizen adults age 21 or older who are not pregnant who have certain immigration statuses such as refugees, asylees, Afghan and Ukrainian humanitarian parolees, trafficking victims and battered noncitizens.

In June 2026, the Minnesota Department of Human Services will send you a letter through the mail if your case information shows this change applies to you.

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Other changes

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Who will still qualify for Medical Assistance

Beginning Oct. 1, 2026, Medical Assistance eligibility for noncitizen adults age 21 or older who are not pregnant is limited to:

  • Lawful permanent residents (LPRs or “green card holders”) who satisfy a five-year waiting period or meet an exception
  • Cuban or Haitian entrants
  • Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants – people who are citizens of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands.

Medical Assistance coverage continues to be available to noncitizen:

  • Children under age 21 who are lawfully present
  • People who are pregnant regardless of their immigration status

Visit the For people who are noncitizens webpage for more information on health care coverage.

 

What can I expect if my MA is ending?

  • We will mail you a notice in late August or early September that says your MA coverage ends Sept. 30, 2026.
  • You may qualify for MinnesotaCare if you meet program rules. 
  • For many people, we have enough information on file to decide if you qualify for MinnesotaCare. If so, the notice that tells you MA is closing will also say that you are approved for MinnesotaCare. 
  • If we do not have enough information, we will mail you a letter in the middle of August 2026. You will need to respond to that letter if you want MinnesotaCare.
  • You also may qualify for another health care program. For example, Emergency Medical Assistance can cover limited services for a medical emergency that are not covered by other insurance, like MinnesotaCare.
  • The federal law also changes who can get Medicare based on their immigration status starting January 1, 2027. If your Medicare enrollment is ending due to your immigration status, you may be eligible for MinnesotaCare starting January 1, 2027.

Important things to know about MinnesotaCare, if your MA is ending on October 1, 2026

  • MinnesotaCare is a program for Minnesotans with low income who do not have access to affordable health care coverage. MinnesotaCare has comprehensive coverage which includes doctor visits, preventive care, prescriptions, and other health services. Most people who are eligible for MinnesotaCare must pay a monthly premium to start and keep MinnesotaCare coverage.
  • Lawfully present noncitizens are eligible for MinnesotaCare if they meet other program rules. 
  • To learn about MinnesotaCare program rules, go to MinnesotaCare / Minnesota Department of Human Services.
  • If you are enrolled in or can get certain kinds of insurance, you may not be eligible for MinnesotaCare. Here are some examples: 
    • If you are enrolled in or can get insurance through your job or your family member’s job, you may not be eligible for MinnesotaCare.
    • If you are entitled to enroll in or enrolled in Medicare Part A, or enrolled in Medicare Part B, you are not eligible for MinnesotaCare. 
    • If you can get premium-free Medicare Part A, you are not eligible for MinnesotaCare.

About the MinnesotaCare premium

  • Refer to the MinnesotaCare Premium Estimator Table to estimate your monthly premium.
  • If you qualify for MinnesotaCare, we will mail you a MinnesotaCare First Premium bill. 
  • If you need to pay a MinnesotaCare premium, coverage begins on the first day of the month after we receive your payment for all household members who have a premium. For coverage to begin October 1, you must pay your MinnesotaCare premium by noon (12:00 P.M.) on September 30.  
  • If you are not required to pay a premium, your MinnesotaCare First Premium bill will say your premium is $0.00. Your coverage will begin on the first day of the month after the date on the MinnesotaCare First Premium bill.
  • Refer to the How much does it cost webpage for information on costs, how to pay your premium online, by phone, by mail or in person and other details.
 

Do this now if noncitizen changes apply to you

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