Minnesota Health Care Programs

1.2.7 Applications for Incarcerated People Preparing for Release

A person who is incarcerated and applying for Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) before their release from a state prison, county detention facility, or city jail must apply using a paper application. Applying with a paper application ensures that eligibility dates for health care coverage are correct.

Incarcerated people who do not apply for MHCP before release follow all standard policies when applying for health care after release.

Health Care Application

People who are incarcerated preparing for release may receive application assistance from a discharge planner or facility staff when applying for MHCP.

There are two application paths for people who are incarcerated so health care coverage can begin on the day they are released.

Shortened Application Process for People Incarcerated for Less Than 12 Months

People who are incarcerated for less than 12 months and who were MA enrollees at the time they were incarcerated may have their MA coverage reopened without a new MHCP application by submitting a Request to Re-Open MA (DHS-5038) to their county or tribal servicing agency. DHS-5038 must be submitted no earlier than 45 days before release and no later than 10 calendar days after release.

New Application for People Incarcerated for 12 Months or More

People who are incarcerated for 12 months or more must complete the appropriate MHCP application and the Individual Discharge Information Sheet (IDIS) (DHS-3443). Refer to Section 1.2.1 MHCP Application Forms for more information. The application and DHS-3443 must be submitted no earlier than 45 days before release.

The date of incarceration and the actual anticipated release date from incarceration must be verified. The release date may be verified by any of the following:

The actual date of release from the Facility Section on DHS-5038
Phone or fax contacts with the facility
Official correspondence from the facility with the release date listed
Official Lists provided to the county agency by the facility containing the incarcerated individual's name and release date
Department of corrections Web site
Official jail roster.

Servicing Agency for Incarcerated People Preparing for Release

The completed DHS-5038, or the completed MHCP application and DHS-3443, are submitted to the county or tribal servicing agency where the person lived immediately before entering the correctional facility. If the previous county of residence is unknown or the person lived in another state immediately before being incarcerated, the completed forms are sent to the county or tribal servicing agency where the person plans to live after release.

Financially Responsible Agency for Incarcerated People Preparing for Release

The financially responsible agency is the agency in which the person resided immediately before entering the correctional facility. If the previous county of residence is unknown or the person lived in another state immediately before being incarcerated, the financially responsible agency is the county or tribe in which the facility is located.

Legal Citations

Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.055, subdivision 14

Minnesota Statutes, section 256G.01, subdivision 4

Minnesota Statutes, section 256G.02, subdivision 4 and 6

Minnesota Statutes, section 256G.08, subdivision 2