DHS is planning system changes to update the online application to support Medical Assistance (MA) for former foster care youth from states other than Minnesota. See Bulletin 23-21-24 DHS Expands Medical Assistance for Former Foster Care Youth for more information. The online application is already programmed to recognize former foster care youth who aged out of foster care in Minnesota. The online application does not yet recognize youth who live in MN and are applying for health care who aged out of foster care in another state.

Until this change is made to the online application, do the following to help a former foster care youth from another state apply for health care coverage.

Paper Application

Former foster care youth should apply using the Application for Health Coverage and Help Paying Costs (DHS-6696). Step 4, question 7, has been updated to ask, “Was anyone in foster care and enrolled in MA or Medicaid in any state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia at age 18 or older?” Answer “Yes,” and write the applicant’s name and the state where the applicant was in foster care on the day foster care ended at age 18 or older. 

Online Application

To apply online, complete and submit the application online at MNsure.org as normal except for the following questions. These are temporary instructions for navigators and certified application counselors only.

• Were you ever in foster care in Minnesota? Answer “yes” if the applicant was in foster care in any state, U.S. territory or the District of Columbia.

If this question is answered “yes,” the application will then ask:

• Did your foster care stop when you were age 18 or older? Answer “yes” or “no” based on the applicant’s attestation.
• Were you on Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare at the time your foster care ended? Answer “yes” if the applicant was enrolled in Medicaid (called Medical Assistance in Minnesota) in any state at the time foster care ended, and “no” if not.

DHS will provide more information for the online application once the necessary system changes are implemented.