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2026

January

January 12, 2026

2.4.1.3.4 MA-LTC Other Asset Transfer Considerations

We added a new subsection for Spousal Elective Share.

Appendix F Standards and Guidelines

We revised the IRS Mileage Rate that become effective January 1, 2026

February

February 6, 2026

2.2.2.1.2 MA FCA Basis of Eligibility Pregnant Woman

For clarification we replaced the first bullet point in Basis to Eligibility with “Be currently pregnant or recently pregnant with an end date in the past 3 months”. We also clarified the Eligibility End Date to include eligibility is continuous regardless of household size.

2.3.7 MA-ABD 1619(a) and 1619(b)

We clarified for the special SSI status under sections 1619(a) and 1619(b) of the Social Security Act are eligible for MA without requiring verification of their income or assets.

2.3.3.2.6 MA-ABD Excess Assets

Reducing Excess Assets in Retroactive Months

We clarified that, when determining what is an acceptable medical bill for excess asset reduction, the same rules used to determine what is an allowable health care expense for medical spenddowns should be applied.

2.3.3.2.7.13 MA-ABD Tribal Payments and Interests

Individual Interest in Trust or Restricted Lands

We added the following clarification to this section: “In addition, up to $2,000 per year of income received by an individual tribal member that is derived from such trust or restricted land interests is excluded as income when determining eligibility for MA-ABD (25 USC § 1408).”

Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) Payments

We added the following clarification to this section: “For the 5-year period beginning July 7, 2025 and ending July 7, 2030, an amount distributed from or benefit provided by a Settlement Trust to an Alaska Native or descendant of an Alaska Native who is an aged, blind, or disabled individual (as defined in section 1614(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C 1382c(a)).”

2.3.3.4.2 MA-ABD Health Care Expenses

Types of Health Care Expenses

We removed MA copayments as a non-reimbursable health care expense that are not covered by MA.

2.4.1.3.3 MA-LTC Transfer Penalty Exceptions and Hardship Waiver

Homestead Transfers

We clarified an uncompensated transfer of a homestead is exempt from a transfer penalty when the verifiable care allowed the person to remain at home rather than enter an LTCF or begin receiving services through a HCBS waiver, as long as all other requirements are met.

Appendix F Standards and Guidelines

We added the 2025 Tax Filing Income Threshold.

March

March 16, 2026

1.2.2 MHCP Application Submission

Who Can File an Application

We clarified situations when a household member is not required to submit a new application to begin MA coverage.

2.3.3.4.1 MA-ABD Spenddown Types Client Option Spenddown

This update clarifies the 18-month reconciliation process for participants in the Client Option Spenddown.

Two new sections were also added to clarify:

Enrollment in Medical Spenddowns for Minnesota Senior Health Options and Special Needs BasicCare Enrollees
Disenrollment for Unpaid Spenddowns

2.3.4.2.1 MA-ABD Ex Parte Renewals

We added this new page to incorporate the following bulletins into the EPM

#23-21-18C Corrected #23-21-18: DHS Announces a Simplified Renewal Process for Certain MA-ABD Enrollees
#24-21-06 DHS Modifies Ex Parte Renewal Process for MA-ABD and MSP Enrollees

2.3.5.1.2 MA-EPD Premiums

Premium Calculation

We clarified how to calculate an MA-EPD budget for months when a person has no income due to a four-month medical leave or job loss.

Appendix C Medicare Cost Sharing Amounts

We updated the Medicare Cost Sharing Amounts for 2025 and 2026.

March 26, 2026

4.2.1.7 MSP Types of Medicare Savings Programs

We clarified eligibility of the Medicare Savings program is based on income and assets. There is not a basis of eligibility requirement for MSP eligibility.

April

April 27, 2026

Appendix F Standards and Guidelines

The following standards and guidelines are updated in Appendix F and become effective July 1, 2026.

Basic Shelter Allowance
Minimum Monthly Income Allowance
Home Maintenance Allowance
Special Income Standard for Elderly Waiver Maintenance Needs Allowance
Remedial Care Expense
Statewide Average Payment for Skilled Nursing Facility Care

June

June 3, 2026

We incorporated information from

DHS Bulletin #24-21-10 DHS Expands MinnesotaCare Eligibility to Include Undocumented Individuals
DHS Bulletin #25-21-05 DHS Announces MinnesotaCare Eligibility Changes for Certain Undocumented Individuals

Into the following EPM sections:

3.2.1 MinnesotaCare Citizenship and Lawful Presence
3.2.1.1 MinnesotaCare Citizenship
3.2.1.2 MinnesotaCare Lawful Presence and DACA

2.2.2.1 MA-FCA Bases of Eligibility

We clarified the eligibility bases for Former Foster Care Youth.

2.3.3.2.1 MA-ABD Asset Limits

People with No Asset Limit

We clarified Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) enrollees do not have an asset limit under the MA-ABD program.

2.3.3.2.7.2 MA-ABD Retirement Funds and Retirement Plans

Evaluation of Retirement Plans

We clarified a delay in payment of retirement plan funds for reasons beyond the individual’s control, such as processing time, does not mean that the funds are unavailable. The retirement plan funds are available because the individual can legally withdraw the funds. The distributed funds that are retained will be an asset in the months after the month of receipt.

2.3.3.2.7.4.1 MA-ABD Homestead Real Property

We clarified the requirements for continuing to exclude the homestead when the enrollee resides in an LTCF. We also clarified that easements and public rights-of-way (e.g., utility lines, roads) do not separate other land from the home plot.

Homestead Real Property Exclusion for Long-Term Care

We clarified the requirements for when a person intends to return home and continue to claim the homestead exclusion while residing in a long-term care facility.

2.3.3.3.2.1 MA-ABD Countable Income

Availability of Income

We clarified crowdfunding account deposits and direct cash withdrawals from countable unearned income are not part of availability of income.

Rental Income

We clarified that rental income is payment to a property owner for the use of their property (real or personal).

Appendix A Types of Assets

We updated the list of assets to include:

Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) recovery rebate payments,
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act payments,
COVID-19 Relief Payments, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) payments,
RentalHelpMN Assistance, and
Child Tax Credit Payments.

June 12, 2026

1.3.1.4 MHCP Data Privacy

We removed the reference to DHS-2667 because the form is obsolete.

Data Privacy Violations

We removed MNsure as an agency to send a data privacy written complaint. All complaints should be sent to the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

2.1.2.2.2 Medical Assistance Immigration Status

We clarified which immigration statuses qualify for MA (Medical Assistance) without a five-year waiting period. We also added two new sections to better explain the five-year waiting period:

Exceptions to the Five-Year Waiting Period for MA Eligibility
Begin Date of the Fire-Year Waiting Period for MA Eligibility

2.3.3.2.3 MA-ABD Excluded Assets

Self-Employment Excluded Assets

We clarified that a tax return can be used to determine net earnings from self-employment and to verify that a trade or business exists. We also added clarification of how to determine the existence of a trade or business when it has operated for a year or less.

Excluded Assets Regardless of Identifiability

We clarified that a term life insurance policy is excluded only if it does not have a cash surrender value (CSV).

2.4.2.3.1 MA-LTC Home and Community-Based Services Waivers for People with Disabilities

We clarified that children and youth in certain MA eligibility groups can continue using their current basis of eligibility even if they are determined disabled and receive HCBS. They are not required to switch to a disability-based eligibility category.