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Over the past two weeks, Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan rolled out their Budget to Move Minnesota Forward, including significant investments in human services.
The budget would invest in health care, child care, education, and public safety while cutting taxes for the middle class, working families, and small businesses. The proposed budget would reduce costs and grow our economy while protecting the health and safety of Minnesotans and ensuring every child receives a high-quality education, no matter their race or zip code.
Details for the Budget to Move Minnesota Forward (PDF) are online.
The recently launched MNbenefits online public assistance application will completely replace the ApplyMN online application starting Tuesday, Feb. 1.
MNbenefits is a fast, accessible, easy-to-use application for nine public assistance programs: food support (SNAP), emergency assistance, child care assistance, housing support and five cash assistance programs.
Users can complete an application in less than 20 minutes, compared to about 60 minutes for the ApplyMN application.
MNbenefits is currently available in English and Spanish, with more languages to come.
There is no change to paper applications or MNsure, the site used to apply online for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.
Minnesota is taking a major step toward addressing significant and longstanding gaps in dental care by raising state payment rates for dentists.
DHS increased the base reimbursement rate on Jan. 1 as part of a $61 million dental package aimed at removing barriers that keep dentists from taking patients covered by Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare.
DHS also is adding coverage of non-surgical treatment for periodontal disease, the leading cause of adult tooth loss.
Part of Minnesota’s COVID-19 Recovery Budget signed into law by Governor Tim Walz last year, the dental reforms include funding to raise reimbursement rates and implement other changes over the next four years.
Low-income Minnesotans with Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare are more likely to have dental disease than Minnesotans with employer-sponsored insurance, and they also have a harder time getting dental care. For example, over 60% of Minnesota children living in poverty did not see a dentist in 2019.
“Our goal is to create more options for Minnesotans who need dental care,” said Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “By supporting dentists with fair rates, this investment will make it easier for people in public health care programs to get the dental care that’s so important to their daily lives and overall well-being. The strong support and tireless work of our legislative committee chairs in both the House and Senate made this change possible.”
Managed care rates for dental care will have to at least match DHS’ fee-for-service rates. With the new rate structure, health plans will also have to meet benchmarks to ensure that more people in public health care programs receive dental care.
More details are in the department’s news release.
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 Posted Jan. 25 on the DHS Careers Facebook page:
We’re looking for individuals dedicated to the caring professions to join our team in a variety of treatment facilities. We are currently hiring in the Twin Cities metro area for the following positions:
- Registered and Licensed Practical Nurses
- Direct Care providers
- Mental Health professionals, including Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors
Apply now to take advantage of rare hiring bonuses, pensions and other benefits that come with a state employee career.
To see more job opportunities with our Direct Care and Treatment team, please visit bit.ly/dctcareers.
Follow our DHS Careers Facebook page for announcements of hiring events, new job postings, internships and more.
For timely updates on other DHS news and events, follow DHS on Twitter and Facebook.
For accessible formats of this publication, write to dhs.communications@state.mn.us, or call 651-431-2000 or use your preferred relay service.
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