Medical Assistance Northstar Adoption Assistance
2.5.6.1.2.1 Basis of Eligibility
Minnesota provides Medical Assistance (MA) to certain groups of people as allowed under law. These groups are referred to as a basis of eligibility. A person’s basis of eligibility determines the non-financial criteria and financial methodology used to determine MA eligibility.
The MA for children receiving Northstar Adoption Assistance (MA-NAA) basis of eligibility includes children receiving:
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Title IV-E and non-Title IV-E Adoption Assistance
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Title IV-E and non-Title IV-E Adoption Assistance under the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA)
Children who also have a certified disability, receiving a home and community-based services waiver continue to use the Northstar Adoption Assistance basis of eligibility. They do not use the disabled basis of eligibility.
Eligibility Begin Date
A child’s MA under the NAA basis begins the first day of the month the NAA benefit agreement goes into effect. When NAA benefits are approved to begin, the DHS Permanency Support Payment Specialist sends both the NAA payment commencement notice and a copy of the NAA benefit agreement to the health care eligibility worker in the child’s county of residence. The effective date of the NAA benefit agreement is included in the NAA payment commencement notice.
For a child who is transitioning from MA under the foster care basis (MA-FC) to MA-NAA, MA-FC must continue until MA-NAA is established for the child.
Eligibility End Date
MA-NAA ends the last day of the month the child turns age 18, unless they receive an extension. Extensions to the benefit agreement may continue up to age 21. A child may have multiple extensions to the benefit agreement. Each extension will have a new end date.
The DHS Permanency Support Payment Specialist will notify the eligibility worker if there is a change to the benefit agreement end date.
Change in Circumstances
A change in circumstances may affect an MA enrollee's basis of eligibility. Enrollees who lose eligibility under one basis must be redetermined under another basis without interruption in their coverage. If an enrollee is no longer eligible for MA under any basis, eligibility must be redetermined for MinnesotaCare, Advance Premium Tax Credits or a Qualified Health Plan. See EPM 1.3.2.1 Change in Circumstance for more information.
Legal Citations
Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.145
Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.227
Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.055