Minnesota Health Care Programs

1.2.4 Processing Period

Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) Applications

Applications must be processed as soon as possible and within the following number of days from the date of application:

15 working days for a pregnant person
60 days for people requesting an MA eligibility determination under a disability basis of eligibility
45 days for all other applicants

The agency generally must process an application, obtain all pre-eligibility verifications, make a determination, and send an approval or denial notice within the processing period. The processing period cannot be used as a waiting period for people requesting health care or extended to provide agencies with additional time for processing. The processing period does not impact the time permitted for an applicant to provide requested information or paper documentation.

The processing period begins the date the online application is submitted or the county, tribal or state servicing agency receives a paper application. See the MHCP Date of Application policy for more information.

MHCP Supplements for Enrollees

An MHCP supplemental form is required to gather additional information to determine eligibility under a different MA basis or other Minnesota health care program.

The MHCP supplemental form must be processed by the county or tribal agency as soon as possible and within the following number of days from the date received:

15 working days for pregnant people
60 days for people requesting an MA eligibility determination under a disability basis of eligibility

25 days for all other applicants and enrollees

Processing Period Extensions

Processing periods must be extended in the following circumstances:

When the applicant is cooperating with providing information or documentation needed to process the application
When a State Medical Review Team (SMRT) determination is pending, for people being determined under an aged, blind, or disabled basis of eligibility, if all other MHCP eligibility criteria are met
When the results of a MnCHOICES assessment are pending for people using the aged, blind, or disabled basis of eligibility if all other MHCP eligibility criteria are met

Legal Citations

Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.911

Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.912

Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.952

Code of Federal Regulations, title 45, section 155.310

Minnesota Rule, part 9505.0090

Minnesota Statutes, section 256L.05

Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.08