MN DHS Advisory Task Force on Waiver Reimagine meeting summary

Nov. 13, 2025

Attendees

DHS and contractors: Calla Oftedahl, Adrienne Hannert, Anna Yesberger, Jill Becker, Fran Van Houten, Katie Pratt, Ryan White, Elian Sorensen

Waiver Reimagine Advisory Task Force: Katrin Bachmeier, Jennifer Ballinger, Tricia Brisbine, Brion Curran, Kris Erickson, Linda Fairchild, Heidi Hamilton, Lisa Harrison-Hadler, Bryce Hingst, Jenna Johnson, Julie Johnson, Meredith McKinnon, Saudade SammuelSon, Gretchen Spier, Mike Tessneer, Mor Vue, Chad Wilson, Linda Wolford

Meeting highlights

Welcome

· The Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Disability Services Division opened the virtual meeting on Waiver Reimagine — its ongoing work to improve the state’s disability waiver programs — by introducing key DHS staff and their professional meeting facilitator.

· DHS staff invited members of the Advisory Task Force on Waiver Reimagine to reach out with questions, concerns and/or topics for future meetings.

· The facilitator set expectations for meeting participation and explained how task force members can request accommodations.

Meeting objective

· The goal of the meeting was to establish a baseline understanding of the status of Waiver Reimagine and the role of the task force.

Introductions

· Task force members shared the perspectives they bring to the table. They will give full introductions at the first in-person meeting in December 2025.

Briefing from DHS

· DHS provided an overview of Waiver Reimagine and brought the task force up to speed on where the project stands to date. The presentation covered six key topics:

Waiver Reimagine background: DHS DSD seeks to merge the state’s four disability waivers into two. They also aim to move everyone receiving waiver services to a statewide, individualized budget and increase self-directed services and participant control.

Waiver Reimagine goals: DHS wants to simplify the system, empower choice, advance equity, increase flexibility and build for the future.

Waiver Reimagine project milestones (2017–2024): The Legislature authorized DHS to conduct a waiver consolidation study in 2017 and create a common service menu in 2019. DHS then launched Waiver Reimagine phases 1 and 2 in 2021 and the Waiver Reimagine Advisory Committee (WRAC) in 2022.

Waiver Reimagine project milestones (2025-2027): Highlights include posting the draft waiver plan in November 2025 before launching the two-waiver system, individualized budgets and tools to increase participant choice and control in 2027.

Project focus highlights: DHS broke down Waiver Reimagine work by quarter.

Q3 2025: DHS adjusted projected governance, and the Legislature sunsetted the WRAC.

Q4 2025: DHS launched the new task force. Next, it will develop and submit the Legislative Report with the WRAC’s recommendations. Additionally, an expert panel will provide feedback on the development of individualized budgets, DHS will launch an awareness campaign and more.

Q1 2026: DHS will publish a draft waiver plan for public comment, submit the new waiver plan to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and more.

Focus areas for task force: While the Legislature outlined eight key topics for the task force to focus on, DHS recommended that the task force concentrate on just four initially: program structure, budgeting, rate and budget exceptions and assessment tools.

Discussion

· DHS staff and the facilitator responded to the task force’s questions about the overview offered.

· Task force members requested additional information, including links to state statutes and federal regulations, as well as draft reports that emerged from prior WRAC work — including the tri-chair report.

· On the topic of the Phase 2 (go-live) timeline, task force members expressed concerns about:

The group’s ability to influence the go-live process, given DHS’s intention to submit a draft waiver plan to CMS in March 2026.

The viability of a go-live date of Jan. 1, 2027.

Meeting federal requirements related to engagement of interested parties.

· Task force members asked if they could submit their report early. DHS was not aware of any barriers to them doing so.

Next steps

· The December meeting is intended to help define the task force’s charter and scope. Attendees will focus on how the group can work together and get started on preliminary work planning.

DHS shared that this next meeting will be held in person. Some attendees requested it be relocated to a more community-based setting than the Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building, where it is scheduled to occur.

· The facilitator reminded task force members that they are welcome to connect with her directly. She emphasized that her role is to consider input from a process perspective and prepare a roadmap for DHS, highlighting areas of interest and/or concern. She will compile all questions that need to be considered during the group’s time together.