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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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.

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.

We still do not know how some of these changes will be implemented in Minnesota. Here is what you can do now to prepare:

Keep your address, phone number, and email up to date with your county or tribe.
Check your mail regularly. Open and read any letters from the state, your county, or your tribe right away.
Report changes to your situation to your county or tribe. This includes changes such as pregnancy, income, household members, or immigration status.
Register for Cancer Legal Care's webinar on December 10th, 2026 at 12:00pm to learn what we know about the changes. This webinar is free. You can register here.