Renewing eligibility and reporting changes for health care programs

MA requires eligibility to be redetermined once a year. Some people who have MA with a spenddown may need to have their eligibility redetermined every six months. This process is called a renewal and confirms that you are still eligible for Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP). 

When you are due to renew your eligibility, you can expect to get a notice in the mail. It will include a form that you must complete and return to your county agency. It is important to complete and return the form as soon as possible and no later than the due date.

If you are due to renew your eligibility in 2017 for January 2018, you can expect to get a health care renewal notice from the Department of Human Services (DHS) in mid-October 2017. That notice will explain what you need to do. You do not need to do anything until you get this notice. You will get one of the following:

• A notice that says your eligibility was renewed automatically and you do not have to do anything unless you have a change to report.
• A notice that includes a form you must return within 30 days to see whether you are eligible to keep your health care coverage.

If you need to return a renewal form, use the envelope provided. You will have at least 30 days from the date on the notice to return the form. You will not lose eligibility before the end of the 30-day period. If you have MinnesotaCare, you must continue to pay your premiums on time. Be sure to review the printed information about your household and make any needed corrections and report any new changes on the form. Provide proof of income (if applicable; see the information about income proof on this checklist), sign and date your renewal form, and return it by the due date.

What do I need to do?

1. Watch for your health care renewal notice in the mail. The notice will come with a renewal form or an information summary. When the notice comes, be sure to read the renewal form or the information summary carefully. Make sure that the information for each member of your household is complete and correct. If any information is incorrect or missing or is repeated but should not be, make updates on the renewal form or the information summary.
2. If you get a renewal form, be sure to complete all the steps on the included checklist before returning your signed completed form to the agency listed on the renewal notice using the included envelope.

If you have MinnesotaCare and are unable to send your renewal form and proofs to MinnesotaCare, bring them to your county or tribal agency.

If you get a renewal form, fill it out and return it as soon as you can. You must return it within 30 days or your health care coverage may end December 31, 2017. 

• If all members of your household have MA only, call or visit your county or tribal agency.
• If members of your household have MinnesotaCare only or MinnesotaCare and MA, call or visit the MinnesotaCare office.
• Certified navigators are also available throughout the state. They can answer basic questions and help you fill out the renewal form and fax documents to MinnesotaCare or your county or tribal agency. Navigators do not process renewal forms or have access to the system to make changes to your case.

Note: If you do not need to meet with a worker, you can drop off renewal forms and required proofs at any county, tribal, MinnesotaCare or navigator office. If you need to meet with a worker, you must go to the agency listed on your renewal notice.

Your renewal form is due 30 days from the date on the notice.

If you return your form or requested information, after the due date:

• You could lose your MA or MinnesotaCare coverage for one or more months in 2018.
• You could lose your health plan coverage for one or more months in 2018.

• Renewal forms are processed in the order they are received at the agency.
• Sending an unsigned or incomplete renewal form that requires more information will delay processing.

• Continue paying the amount shown on your invoice. Your MinnesotaCare premium may change after your renewal form is processed.
• The invoices you get in November and December may show a premium amount of “unknown” instead of a dollar amount. If you already returned your renewal form, this means that it has not been processed yet or the agency is waiting for more information from you. If you have not returned your renewal form, you must return it by the due date or your eligibility will end December 31, 2017.

You must report certain changes to your county or tribal worker within 10 days of the date of the change. Failing to report a change may result in an overpayment of benefits, which you may have to pay back. 

Report all changes, including changes in these: 

• Where you live
• Who lives with you
• Income
• Starting or stopping other health insurance
• Minnesota residency
• Citizenship or immigration status
• Incarceration status
• Pregnancy
• Disability status

If you do not know whether a change is important to your eligibility, report it and let your worker decide. More information is in the Your Responsibilities brochure (PDF). Your worker may ask you to submit a change report form (DHS-4796) (PDF) with the new information.

• County and tribal offices
• Minnesota Health Care Programs Member Help Desk