Changes to Medical Assistance Eligibility
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A new federal law is making changes to Medical Assistance (MA) in Minnesota. This page will help you understand what is changing, when changes will happen, and what you may need to do to keep your coverage.
You may receive a notice in the mail from DHS with additional information.
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October 1, 2026: Noncitizen Adults
Effective October 1, 2026
Only noncitizens adults (age 21 or older) who are not pregnant, with the following immigration statuses will be eligible for MA.
- Lawful permanent residents (LPRs or “green card holders”) who satisfy a five-year waiting period or meet an exception to the five-year waiting period
- Cuban or Haitian entrants
- Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants – people who are citizens of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands.
IMPORTANT: Children under age 21 who are lawfully present and people who are pregnant regardless of their immigration status will still be eligible for MA.
Please click here for further information.
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January 1, 2027: Work Requirements
Effective January 1, 2027
Adults (ages 21 to 64) who do not live with their children under age 19, are not pregnant, are not American Indian or Alaska Native, and are not receiving MA based on a disability will need to report work, school, volunteering, work program, or an exemption to get or keep MA coverage. Find more information here.
IMPORTANT: This does not apply to individuals who are pregnant, are American Indian or Alaska Native, or are receiving MA based on a disability.
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January 1, 2027: Six-Month Renewals
Effective January 1, 2027
People ages 21 to 64 who do not live with their children under age 19, are not pregnant, are not American Indian or Alaska Native, and are not receiving MA based on a disability will need to renew their Medical Assistance (MA) coverage every six months instead of once a year. Learn more about who may be affected, what notices to watch for, and how to avoid a gap in coverage.
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January 1, 2028: Limit to Retroactive Coverage
Effective January 1, 2028
Federal law will shorten how far back Medical Assistance (MA) can pay for covered medical bills before a person applies. However, Minnesota will continue offering three months of retroactive coverage through 2027 using state funding, delaying the federal law impact for Minnesotans until Jan. 1, 2028. Learn more here.
- Helpful Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about federal changes to Medicaid here.
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Am I impacted by the changes to Medical Assistance (MA) eligibility for noncitizens?
Starting October 1, 2026 only noncitizens adults (age 21 or older) who are not pregnant, with the following immigration statuses will be eligible for MA:
- Lawful permanent residents (LPRs or “green card holders”) who satisfy a five-year waiting period or meet an exception to the five-year waiting period
- Cuban or Haitian entrants
- Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants – people who are citizens of Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands.
There are no changes to coverage for children and pregnant people:
- Pregnant people may qualify for Medical Assistance (MA) during pregnancy and 12-months postpartum regardless of immigration status.
- Children under age 21 who have a lawfully present status may qualify for MA.
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Am I impacted by the changes to Medical Assistance (MA) eligibility for adults?
Starting in 2027, adults (ages 21 to 64) who do not live with their children under age 19 will need to report work, school, volunteering, work program, or an exemption to get or keep MA coverage.
Learn more about Work Requirements for Adults
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What do I need to do now?
Report changes such as pregnancy, income or household member changes, or immigration status changes to your county or Tribal agency.
Watch your mail for important information and keep your address, phone number and email up to date.
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If I am a noncitizen, will I transition directly to another health care program automatically?
You may be eligible for other health care programs. It is important to watch the mail and respond to important notices, such as request for additional information from your servicing agency. You may also need to make a monthly payment, called a premium, in order to maintain your coverage. Watch the mail for these types of notices.
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Do I meet the work and community engagement requirement, or how do I demonstrate any exemptions?
If you are age 21 to 64 and do not have children under age 19 living with you, are not pregnant, are not American Indian or Alaska Native, and are not receiving Medical Assistance (MA) based on a disability you will need to provide information on how you meet the work or community engagement requirement, or how you meet an exemption to this new requirement. You can find more information here.
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If I don't meet the work or community engagement requirement, will I transition directly to another health care program automatically?
Individuals who are required to meet the work or community engagement requirement and are not able to will not be eligible for Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare, but could purchase a Qualified Health Plan through MNsure. See MNsure for more information about Qualified Health Plans.
Still have questions?
If your question isn’t answered or if you need assistance with your application, please contact us.