Base periods and retroactive coverage

The base period is the number of months used to calculate the spenddown amount. The individual may choose either a 3-month or a 6-month base period. If the client incurs qualifying medical expenses before and during the base period, the individual meets the spenddown and receives MN coverage from the date the spenddown was met through the remainder of the base period.

The base period begins the first of the month in which the agency receives an application for medical benefits or may begin the first of the following month if the individual applies late in the month and chooses to withdraw their request for medical coverage in the initial month.

An individual may also request retroactive coverage for any or all of the 3 months prior to the month of application. These month(s) are referred to as a retroactive base period.

Example: retroactive coverage

We receive an application for benefits on March 10. The individual requests coverage for February only, as he was hospitalized from February 15 - February 21. The individual is eligible for coverage under MN with spenddown for February. The worker denies MN coverage for December and January and establishes a 1-month retroactive base period for February.

CN coverage during retroactive base period

Children and pregnant individuals who are found eligible for CN coverage in one of the months of a retroactive base period are continuously eligible for CN coverage for one year in the case of children or through the end of the postpartum period in the case of pregnant women.

There is no review for MN coverage. Each request for MN coverage is considered a separate application.