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Note: DHS sent the Jan. 23, 2026, eList announcement to update and clarify information in this eList. This eList is for historical reference only and does not include up-to-date information.

DSD eList announcement

Date: Dec. 23, 2025
To: Lead agencies, caseworkers and other interested parties
From: DHS Disability Services Division
Purpose: To announce a delay in implementing disability waiver changes authorized by the 2025 Minnesota Legislature
Contact: DSD Contact Form

Disability waiver changes to take effect in February 2026

DHS expects to implement disability waiver changes authorized by the 2025 Minnesota Legislature in February 2026 instead of January 2026. This applies to the following waivers:

· Community Alternative Care (CAC).

· Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI).

· Developmental Disabilities (DD).

DHS expects to implement the changes to the Brain Injury (BI) Waiver on April 1, 2026.

We must delay implementation because of several factors, including:

· 2025 special session.

· Changes during the amendment preparation process.

· Delayed start date for the public comment periods.

· Delayed submission to and approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Implementation timeline

DHS held 30-day public comment periods on the waiver amendments. We announced the BI Waiver application public comment period in an Oct. 9, 2025, eList announcement and the CAC, CADI and DD waiver amendments public comment period in an Oct. 23, 2025, eList announcement.

We submitted the amendments to CMS for approval in December 2025. CMS must approve the waiver amendments before we can implement them.

We will send an eList announcement when we receive CMS approval to implement the changes.

Lead agency actions

For waiver spans starting on or after Jan. 1, 2026, lead agencies must continue using 2025 values to determine disability waiver service rates in the MnCHOICES support plan.

Summary of proposed changes

The changes in the waiver amendment package for the BI, CAC, CADI and DD waivers that resulted from 2025 legislation include:

· MnCHOICES efficiencies.

· Service and provider changes.

· Rate changes and service limitations.

MnCHOICES efficiencies include the following changes:

· Update certified assessor qualifications to align with state law.

· Add requirement to complete assessments within required timelines.

· Allow hospital social workers to complete MnCHOICES assessments.

· Allow verbal attestation to replace reassessment signatures.

· Allow people to attest to no changes in needs or services for reassessments.

Service and provider changes include the following:

· Add swim lessons for some children as an allowable expense under consumer directed community supports (CDCS).

· Add water safety lessons as a covered service.

· Update positive support professional provider qualifications.

· Update positive support analyst provider qualifications.

· Update requirements for respite provided in unlicensed settings.

Rate changes and service limitations include the following:

· Adjust component values within rate frameworks for inflation.

· Remove family residential services as a framework service.

· Add tiered rates for family residential services.

· Add limitations to the number of hours providers may deliver individualized home supports (IHS) with training and IHS with family training.

· Add a process for service agreement review and approval by DHS under certain circumstances.

· Update information related to inflationary adjustments.

To review a summary of the changes, refer to fall 2025 waiver plan amendments (PDF).

Previous eList announcements

DSD LEAD AGENCY ARCHIVE | DSD STAKEHOLDER ARCHIVE

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