Minnesota Medicaid Waivers & Home and Community Based Programs Overview
- Amara Kamara
- Sep 12, 2024
- 2 min read
Minnesota, known as The North Star State, has a well-established Medicaid Waiver and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) system designed to provide long-term care alternatives for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those with chronic health conditions.
Administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Disability Services Division (DSD), and Aging and Adult Services Division (AASD), the state’s Medicaid waiver programs allow eligible individuals to receive care in their homes or community settings rather than institutional care.
Key waiver programs include the Elderly Waiver (EW), which provides in-home and assisted living services for seniors, and the Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) Waiver, which offers personal care, behavioral health, and employment support for individuals with disabilities. Other major programs include the Brain Injury (BI) Waiver, the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver, and the Alternative Care (AC) Program, which supports seniors who do not yet qualify for Medicaid but need home-based care. Minnesota also emphasizes Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS), allowing waiver participants to have more flexibility in managing their care and hiring caregivers.
Regulatory oversight in Minnesota is managed through DHS, County and Tribal Human Services Agencies, and the Office of Inspector General (OIG), which enforces provider licensing and compliance regulations. The state operates under a Managed Care model, integrating HCBS services with medical and behavioral healthcare through Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) and Special Needs BasicCare (SNBC) programs.
Additionally, Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) has been implemented for personal care services, ensuring compliance and service integrity. Providers must navigate rigorous Medicaid enrollment, prior authorization processes, and regulatory compliance requirements to participate in the state’s HCBS programs successfully. With a strong emphasis on equity, person-centered planning, and community integration, Minnesota’s Medicaid waiver system ensures that individuals receive high-quality, sustainable long-term care services while maintaining independence, dignity, and full inclusion in their communities.
Explore Policy and Procedure manual for licensing and certification for your state Medicaid Waiver and HCBS programs here.
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