Medical Assistance Northstar Kinship Assistance

2.5.6.2.2.1 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 Kinship Assistance (MA-NKA) basis of eligibility is available to all children receiving NKA benefits, regardless of Title IV-E eligibility.

For children who are not receiving Minnesota NKA benefits, but live in Minnesota and receive Guardianship Assistance from another state, eligibility for MA-NKA depends on Title IV-E eligibility.

Children who receive Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance from another state are eligible for MA-NKA.
Children who receive non-Title IV-E Guardianship Assistance from another state are not eligible for MA-NKA, but may qualify for MA under other MA-FCA or MA-ABD bases of eligibility.

Children who are eligible for MA-NKA who have a certified disability and receive home and community-based waiver services are not required to use the disabled basis of eligibility and should continue to use the NKA basis of eligibility.

Eligibility Begin Date

A child’s MA-NKA basis of eligibility begins the first day of the month the NKA benefit agreement goes into effect. When NKA benefits are approved, the DHS permanency support specialist sends both the NKA payment commencement notice and a copy of the NKA benefit agreement to the health care eligibility worker in the child’s county of residence. The effective date of the NKA benefit agreement is included in the NKA payment commencement notice.

For a child who is transitioning from MA under the foster care basis (MA-FC) to MA-NKA, MA-FC eligibility must continue under the foster care basis until MA-NKA is approved for the child.

Eligibility End Date

A child's MA-NKA basis of eligibility ends the last day of the month the child turns age 18, unless they receive an extension. Extensions to the NKA benefit agreements may continue up to age 21. A child may have multiple extensions to the NKA benefit agreement. Each extension will have a new end date.

The DHS Permanency Support Specialist will notify the eligibility worker if there is a change to the NKA benefit agreement end date.

Change in Circumstances

A change in circumstances may affect an MA enrollee's basis of eligibility. A child whose MA-NKA basis of eligibility ends must be redetermined under another MA basis without interruption in their coverage. If the child 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 435.916

Minnesota Statutes, section 256B.055, subdivision 2