A weekly roundup of news, updates and reminders

October 12, 2026

MinnesotaCare and lawfully present noncitizens

Help build awareness about renewals and premiums for lawfully present noncitizens who are newly eligible for MinnesotaCare.

On Oct. 1, 2026, federal law changed who can qualify for federally funded Medical Assistance based on immigration status. Many individuals who lost MA coverage due to federal changes are eligible for MinnesotaCare. However, premium payments are required for coverage to begin. Some individuals have a $0 premium. People who did not make their initial payment in time for coverage to begin Oct. 1 can still make their initial payments in October to begin coverage November 1. Additionally, it is important that individuals watch their mail for MinnesotaCare renewal paperwork for next year, which is coming soon.

If you have patients or clients impacted by these changes, these resources have helpful information: 

• Federal changes for noncitizen adults
• MinnesotaCare premiums
• MinnesotaCare general information

Do you use the Community-based Services Manual?

The department is conducting a survey to gather input from providers who frequently consult the Community-based Services Manual (CBSM). The survey aims to help us better understand:

• How people use the manual
• Existing challenges in using it
• What improvements would help you in your work

Access the survey here. Please share the link with any colleagues who regularly use the manual and may have feedback to contribute. The survey takes about 15 minutes. Responses will be collected until October 16.

Stay informed and get help

Sign up for email updates to get news from the department delivered straight to your inbox. We send information on a variety of health care benefits, services and other topics that you choose. And remember to check these other provider channels for policy updates, new developments and assistance:

• Provider News and Updates
• Provider Resource Center
• PRC contact request form
• MHCP Provider Manual
• MPSE portal navigation sessions

Available provider resources: MN–ITS guides and training

Did you know that there are dedicated online MN–ITS user guides that give detailed instructions on how to complete tasks and access information in MN–ITS? And that providers can access a variety of online, on-demand and in-person trainings on the MHCP Provider Training webpage? Check out these resources when you have questions or need to brush up on your MHCP provider knowledge.

Continued focus on provider enrollment backlog

The department acknowledges the backlog of new provider enrollment applications and changes, and continues to staff up to address this backlog while balancing the appeals requests from Minnesota Revalidate 2026. Providers should be aware that organizations remaining in appeal status may experience a delay in affiliating new individual providers. DHS is unable to process submission of new individual provider affiliations for enrolled providers in appeals status because DHS must continue to ensure that enrolled providers meet enrollment and screening requirements. Organizations are strongly encouraged to complete the revalidation process and provide any outstanding information as soon as possible to resolve their appeal status and avoid additional delays in provider affiliations.

There may be very limited circumstances in which DHS is able to expedite an individual provider enrollment application or affiliation request. DHS may prioritize requests when the individual affiliation is preventing the organization from meeting enrollment requirements. Expedited processing is limited and should not be relied upon as an alternative to completing the organization’s revalidation. If you wish to request expedited processing based on these circumstances, please submit a request for expedited processing to our Provider Resource Center.

New website for Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare coverage

In July 2026, Minnesota Health Care Programs (Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare) and MNsure (private coverage through the marketplace) began using separate eligibility and enrollment systems.

People applying for or enrolled in Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare can now apply for their coverage using the health care section of the DHS website. People who are applying for or enrolled in MNsure for private health coverage, including coverage with advance premium tax credits (APTC), should continue to use MNsure's website.

Some households may have family members enrolled in different types of coverage. These households can apply on either site, but they may needs to use both their DHS Health Care Account and MNsure accounts to manage their household’s health coverage.

Use these resources to help applicants and  enrollees find the right place to start:

• Minnesota Health Care Programs homepage: General information about Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare
• How to apply: Information for people applying for coverage
• Access your account: Information for people who already have Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare
• Guide to LoginMN: Step-by-step video for creating a LoginMN sign on and accessing DHS health care account