Minnesota Health Care Programs

1.2.3 Date of Application

Paper Application

The date of application for health care coverage is the date a county, tribal or state servicing agency receives a request for coverage or an application for health care during normal working hours. The date of application for a paper application or request for coverage submitted after normal working hours via a drop box or other method is the next business day.

The date of application for an application completed by a certified assister is the date the certified assister enters in the "application date" box in Appendix C. The application date is set when the applicant signs the application in the presence of an assister, or the date the certified assister received a signed application.

MNsure Online Application

For MNsure online applications, the date of application is the date the application is submitted electronically.

Request to Apply

A person may set the date of application for Medical Assistance (MA) by submitting a Request to Apply (DHS-3417B). A request to apply must be written and contain the name of the applicant and a way to locate the applicant. The request does not need to state the name of a program as long as it is clear the person wants health care. A request to apply does not need to be signed to set the date of application. The applicant must submit a complete paper application and provide information needed to determine eligibility within 30 days of the written request. A request to apply only sets the date of application for applicants who later submit a paper application. Applicants who apply through MNsure.org must submit the online application in order to set the date of application.

Setting Date of Application - Social Security Administration Application for Extra Help

The date the Social Security Administration (SSA) transmits the Extra Help application data to the state agency is the date of application for MA. Applicants have until the end of the processing period to complete an application. Applicants who complete and submit a paper application retain the SSA date of application. The date of application for those who apply through an online application is the date the application is submitted.

Date of Application - Applicants with Limited English Proficiency

Applicants with limited English proficiency (LEP) may receive help applying through the Multilingual Referral Line (MRL) service or county agencies. The date of the first contact with either the MRL service or the county agency is the date of application for LEP applicants using paper applications. The date of application for those who apply through an online application is the date the application is submitted.

Legal Citations

Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.906

Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.907

Code of Federal Regulations, title 42, section 435.908

Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0015, subpart 5

Minnesota Statutes, section 256L.05

Published: October 25, 2023

Previous VersionsPrevious Versions