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Upcoming Changes to Medical Assistance

What We Know About the Upcoming Changes to Medical Assistance

You may have heard that changes are coming to Medical Assistance, also known as Medicaid. These changes are due to a new federal law. Some of the changes will start on October 1, 2026. If you are enrolled in Medical Assistance in Minnesota, these changes may impact you. 

Not all Minnesotans enrolled in Medical Assistance will be impacted. Click here to learn more about the changes and to get more information about who is affected.

We are hosting a webinar on December 10, 2026 to help you understand these changes and how they may impact you. Register here. 

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Tsoomfwv Tebchaws cov kev hloov rau Medicaid (Hmoob)

Cancer Legal Care is here to help. We are hosting a webinar on December 10, 2026 to help you understand these changes and how they may impact you. 

Register here. 

Summary of the Changes Coming to Medical Assistance in Minnesota

Noncitizen Adults: Starting October 1, 2026, federal law changes who can qualify for Medical Assistance based on immigration status. This change impacts noncitizen adults who are age 21 and over who are not pregnant. If you are a noncitizen who is age 21 or older and are not pregnant, these changes affect you. You learn more about the changes here. 

Work Requirements: Starting Jan. 1, 2027, some adults with Medical Assistance may need to meet new work reporting and community engagement requirements to get or keep coverage. Many people may already meet the requirement or qualify for an exemption. The biggest risk is missing a notice, proof request or deadline. You can learn more about the changes here. 

This change does not affect you if you: 

  • Have MA coverage based on a disability
  • Are a parent living with your children who are under age 19
  • Are 65 or older
  • Are 20 or younger
  • Are pregnant

Six-month Renewal: Starting in 2027, some adults who get Medical Assistance will have a renewal every six months instead of once per year. You can learn more about the changes here. 

This change does not affect you if you: 

  • Get MA coverage based on a disability
  • Are a parent living with your children who are under age 19
  • Are 65 or older
  • Are 20 or younger
  • Are pregnant
  • Are an American Indian or Alaska Native

Retroactive Coverage: Starting January 1, 2028, retroactive Medical Assistance coverage will decrease.  It will decrease to 1 month for adults ages 21 to 64 who do not have dependent children, are not pregnant and do not qualify for Medical Assistance based on a disability. For all others, retroactive coverage will decrease to 2 months.

Thank you to our generous funders.

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