Note: DHS updated this eList announcement on April 25, 2023, to include a link to Bulletin #23-21-09: DHS Announces the Resumption of Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) Annual Eligibility Renewals (PDF), released April 11, 2023.

AASD and DSD eList announcement

Date: April 11, 2023 (updated April 25, 2023)
To: Lead agency staff
From: DHS Aging and Adult Services and Disability Services divisions
Purpose: To announce the end of continuous coverage requirements for people on waivers and Alternative Care (AC)
Effective: July 1, 2023
Contact: For questions related to disability waivers, use the DSD Contact Form. For questions related to AC and EW, email dhs.aasd.hcbs@state.mn.us.

Updated: Waiver eligibility and Medical Assistance (MA) financial eligibility renewals at the end of the continuous coverage period

On April 7, 2023, DHS released Bulletin #23-21-08: DHS Announces Key MHCP Eligibility Policies during the Unwinding Period (PDF), which announces key MHCP eligibility policies following the end of the COVID-19 continuous coverage requirements.

On April 11, 2023, DHS released Bulletin #23-21-09: DHS Announces the Resumption of MHCP Annual Eligibility Renewals (PDF), which provides timelines for restarting MA renewals after continuous coverage requirements end. These timelines also apply to reassessments for waiver and AC programs, including financial eligibility redeterminations for the AC program.

This eList provides specific instructions related to waiver eligibility, timing of reassessments, financial eligibility renewals and AC-specific information.

Refer to CBSM – Temporary waiver exits and restarts: MMIS actions for updated information about required actions when a person is admitted to an institution, residential treatment setting or intermediate care facility for persons with developmental disabilities (ICF/DD), or when a person is incarcerated.

Timing of MA financial eligibility renewals, annual reassessments and waiver eligibility

The timing of MA financial eligibility renewals does not affect the timing of annual reassessments. Waiver reassessments may occur before or after the MA eligibility renewal is completed. However, if a person has an MA eligibility renewal and is determined to no longer be eligible for MA, the lead agency must provide advanced notice (refer to CBSM – Notice of action) and close the waiver.

Annual reassessment instructions

Lead agencies must complete annual reassessments when due according to waiver/AC policies on CBSM – Assessment applicability and timelines. All people will have their reassessment completed based on the date of their last assessment or reassessment. Lead agencies cannot change reassessment dates simply to align with MA financial renewal dates.

For any annual reassessment completed beginning in May 2023 that has an effective date of July 1, 2023, or later, the person must meet all waiver/AC eligibility criteria in order to continue on the program. If the person no longer meets all waiver/AC eligibility criteria at reassessment, the lead agency must close the waiver/AC program no earlier than the first day after the end of their current waiver/AC span. For additional information, refer to CBSM – Temporary waiver exits and restarts: MMIS actions. Lead agencies must provide advanced notice (refer to CBSM – Notice of action) and follow all other requirements.

Functional needs update for AC and EW

Lead agencies can continue to use the functional needs update (activity type 10) before the annual reassessment to address changes in need for people on AC and EW. For information about this activity type, refer to the March 7, 2023, eList announcement.

AC-specific information

Certified assessors must resume annual financial eligibility redeterminations for any AC annual reassessment beginning in May 2023, with an effective date of July 1, 2023, or later.

Certified assessors complete financial eligibility redetermination for people on AC as part of their annual reassessment, using either AC Program Eligibility Worksheet, DHS-2630 (PDF) or AC Program Eligibility Worksheet Type A, DHS-2630A (PDF).

The lead agency must provide the AC Program Client Disclosure Form, DHS-3548 to the person, allowing sufficient time for the person to complete it on or before their last day of current AC eligibility. The form must include a participant/authorized representative signature.

People on AC cannot be terminated from the program due to exceeding AC financial thresholds:

· Until completion of their annual reassessment with an effective date of July 1, 2023, or later.

· Sooner than the first day after the end of their current AC span.

If a person no longer meets eligibility criteria, the effective date of closing the AC program must reflect advance noticed requirements and lead agency notice of action using Long-Term Services and Support Notice of Action – Assessment or Reassessment Program Eligibility Summary, DHS-2828A.

Previous eList announcements

AASD LEAD AGENCY ARCHIVE | DSD LEAD AGENCY ARCHIVE | DSD STAKEHOLDER ARCHIVE