Opinion Editor’s Note: editorial represents the opinion of the Star Tribune Editorial Board, which operates independently of the Newsroom.
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When you see the blue circle, it’s time to update.
This is important advice for the 1.5 million Minnesotans who have medical insurance through the state’s Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare programs. After a three-year hiatus during the COVID-19 public health emergency, annual eligibility checks have resumed to ensure that those eligible for these taxpayer-funded programs are eligible for this aid. Make sure you meet restrictions and other criteria.
Subscribers must promptly complete and return forms to maintain coverage. These forms will arrive by regular mail, a process that started this spring. “Blue” refers to the sapphire spot on the envelope and encloses the words “Important Information Enclosed.” This is intended to help this important communication stand out among other emails.
It’s a smart innovation by the State Department of Human Services (DHS), which oversees medical assistance and Minnesota care. But the sheer number of people who have to successfully navigate the renewal process next year still make this a daunting task. Hard work is important.
Minnesotans who rely on these programs, or who have loved ones who do, must keep an eye on their mailboxes. This remains a paper-based process. Check the deadline date in the cover letter attached to your renewal form.
Minnesota’s world-class medical community has helped shine a spotlight on the complexities of the renewal process in Congress and elsewhere. Continuous effort is essential to do so.
Dr. Nathan Chomilo, a pediatrician and the state’s Medicaid medical director, made a public appearance to discuss his twitter accountHe also gives advice at the end of the visit about the importance of renewal and keeps the patient’s attention in mind.
State health care providers should consider following Chomilo’s lead by offering similar guidance to their patients. Further involvement of the state’s renowned medical institutions, such as the Minnesota Hospital Association and the Minnesota Health Planning Council, would be beneficial. Are there other innovative approaches these organizations can take to better utilize their resources and influence?
Twin Cities is also home to a prominent advertising agency. Can one of them develop a public service campaign to help?
Minnesota isn’t the only state grappling with this healthcare challenge. Early in the pandemic, Congress stepped up funding for states that hoped people would continue to be enrolled in low-income medical assistance programs. This was sensible because the registrant could seek medical and hospital treatment if she contracted COVID. This had the broader benefit of helping contain the virus.
This policy is not permanent and it makes sense to start redefining eligibility this year. Other states are working on updates as well.
One in four Minnesotans depends on a medical assistance program. Other updates good to know:
- Paperwork is not sent to all medical assistance registrants at once. Instead, you will be linked to the month you signed up for. If it was June of the previous year, check back next month. If it was in July, be on the lookout for arrivals at that time.
- MinnesotaCare subscribers will be on a different timeline. Recertification is scheduled to begin in October 2023.
- DHS has an accessible online guide that answers frequently asked questions at tinyurl.com/MNRenewalGuide.
- The agency also encourages registrants to ensure their address is up-to-date to ensure their forms arrive in time. To update your contact information, visit tinyurl.com/MNUpdateAddress.
DHS will also send texts to registrants when updates are mailed and follow up reminders about submission deadlines. Attention and prompt return of forms is essential to the health of more than 1 million Minnesotans. It’s time well spent.