Minnesota has extended a pause on enrolling new Medicaid providers in 12 services identified as high risk while the state continues revalidating nearly 5,600 existing providers.
The moratorium began Jan. 30 and will remain in place for at least six more months. The Department of Human Services said the review is part of a corrective-action plan requested by federal officials, who warned that more than $2 billion in Medicaid funding could be at risk if deficiencies are not addressed.
Providers undergoing revalidation must disclose ownership, key employees and business locations, submit documentation showing they are qualified, and pass an unannounced on-site inspection. Many providers that did not complete the process or pass inspections have appealed disenrollment decisions.
Temporary Human Services Commissioner John Connolly said the state must finish verifying existing providers before accepting more applications. He said the department is working with counties, managed-care organizations and providers to protect access to care and may make exceptions when necessary.
The extension is separate from several other state restrictions. A two-year freeze on new adult day-center licenses runs through Jan. 31, 2028. A pause on new home- and community-based-services licenses is effective through Dec. 31, 2027.
The current extension also does not cover the Early Intensive Developmental Behavioral Intervention program. A separate pause on new enrollment in that program is scheduled to end Oct. 31.
The state has said the broader review is intended to improve program integrity, verify that providers are operating at disclosed locations and ensure taxpayer-funded services are delivered by qualified organizations. Current clients should contact their health plan or county if a provider change affects access to services.
Leave a Reply