Here’s a specific rundown of the key updates to the state’s Medicaid program in 2023:
1. Resumption of Eligibility Redeterminations:
- The federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 ended on May 11, 2023. This meant the pause on eligibility redeterminations for Minnesota’s Medicaid and MinnesotaCare programs also ended.
- Starting April 2023, most enrollees who gained coverage during the PHE period need to go through an eligibility review to maintain coverage.
- This is to ensure that only those who are still eligible continue to receive benefits.
2. Dental Benefits for Children and Pregnant Women:
- The state increased the insurance rate for dental services for children and pregnant women from 50% to 60% as of November 30, 2023.
- This means that the insurance plan covers a larger portion of the cost of dental care for these groups.
3. Provider Manual Updates:
- The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) made several updates to the MHCP Provider Manual throughout 2023.
- Some notable changes include:
- Adding the MCO Provider In-Network Agreement form to the How to Enroll section.
- Removing Housing Access Coordination from the Background Study section.
- Updating the service names of family caregiver services in the Remote Support section.
- Adding information about using the Minnesota Provider Screening and Enrollment (MPSE) portal for revalidation.
4. Continued Focus on Behavioral Health:
- Minnesota continued its focus on expanding access to behavioral health services through its Medicaid program in 2023.
- This includes initiatives like increasing reimbursement rates for behavioral health providers and investing in programs to address the opioid crisis.
5. Other Changes:
- The state also made some smaller changes to its Medicaid program in 2023, such as:
- Expanding coverage for certain preventive services.
- Updating the co-payment amounts for some services.
- Making changes to the enrollment process.