Monthly news digest from the Department of Human Services
Minnesota Department of Human Services logo [ [link removed] ]
NEWS FROM DHS
*January 2026*
*News from DHS archive [ [link removed] ]*
In this issue:
* Federal review shows Minnesota's Medicaid improper payment rate far below national average [ #link_4 ]
* Minnesota freezes new provider enrollment for 13 Medicaid services [ #link_1 ]
* Sign up for updates on our fraud prevention and detection work [ #link_3 ]
* In social media: Follow us on Instagram [ #link_5 ]
* Survey on direct care open through Sunday, Feb. 1 [ #link_2 ]
* Minnesota appeals Dr. Oz decision to withhold $2 billion in Medicaid funds [ #link_8 ]
* In the news [ #link_6 ]
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Federal review shows Minnesota's Medicaid improper payment rate far below national average
New data from the federal U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) shows the overall rate of improper payment in Minnesota’s Medicaid program is far below national averages.
In the review released in January, CMS found an error rate of slightly over 2.1%, compared to a national average of 6.1%.
The data for the review was compiled before the Minnesota Department of Human Services began implementing new strategies to minimize the risk of fraud and harden its systems against bad actors. Reviewers at CMS checked billing statements and then compared them with medical records to ensure the billing was accurate.
“No amount of error or fraud is acceptable. Even one dollar is too much,” said Temporary Human Services Commissioner Shireen Gandhi. “We’re committed to making Minnesota a national model for preventing fraud and catching errors. This review shows we have strong internal controls that we continue to improve, and we are not stopping there as we accelerate our efforts to fight fraud.”
More information is in a department news release [ [link removed] ].
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Minnesota freezes new provider enrollment for 13 Medicaid services
The Minnesota Department of Human Services will freeze new provider enrollments in 13 categories of Medicaid services at high risk for fraud.
The department is working with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement the freeze, at which point the state will no longer accept new applications from businesses seeking to provide these services.
To ensure Minnesotans can receive critical services everywhere they live, the department will issue exceptions to add new providers where capacity is needed. Exceptions will require written approval from CMS.
More information is in a department news release [ [link removed] ].
"Editor’s note: Since this news release was published, the department implemented the freeze effective Jan. 27, 2026. The freeze will be in place for at least six months, and may be extended if necessary."
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Sign up for updates on our fraud prevention and detection work
We understand our work to prevent fraud, waste and abuse is important to Minnesotans and that many want a better understanding of the work and its challenges. That’s why we're taking steps to be proactively transparent when it won’t compromise our investigative work or reveal private data.
To be kept up to date on the latest program integrity actions, sign up for our program integrity email list [ [link removed] ].
And you can always get information on our Medicaid Program Integrity webpage [ [link removed] ].
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In social media: Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Instagram
Click here to go to our Instagram page [ [link removed] ]
">> Follow us on Facebook [ [link removed] ], Instagram [ [link removed] ] and "X (formerly Twitter) [ [link removed] ]" f"or timely updates on DHS news and events.""
">> For announcements of hiring events, job postings, internships and more, follow us on LinkedIn [ [link removed] ] and the "DHS Careers Facebook page [ [link removed] ].""
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Accessible formats
For accessible formats of this publication, write to
[email protected], or call 651-431-2000 or use your preferred relay service.
Survey on direct care open through Sunday, Feb. 1
Stock image of older adult with an in-home caregiver
Did you, or your minor child, receive some type of direct care service in Minnesota in 2025?
A wide variety of direct care is provided by paid staff and paid family caregivers, ranging from assistance at home with activities like bathing or taking medications to care in a nursing home.
We want to hear from people who received these services and supports through a government-funded program such as Medical Assistance, waiver programs and others.
Our direct care staffing survey is open through Sunday, Feb. 1: bit.ly/mnstaffingsurvey2025 [ [link removed] ]
The survey is voluntary and *anonymous*. We will compile responses to share with state leaders to help them make decisions.
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Minnesota appeals Dr. Oz decision to withhold $2 billion in Medicaid funds
stock photo of doctor checking young girls ears
The Minnesota Department of Human Services is appealing a decision by the Trump Administration to withhold over $2 billion in annual Medicaid funding for Minnesota.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), alleged Minnesota has failed to take actions that fight fraud in the state’s Medicaid program.
“These sweeping allegations and unprecedented actions are not based on facts,” said John Connolly, human services deputy commissioner and Minnesota Medicaid director. “The move is counter to federal regulation and would destabilize health care across our state.”
More information is in a department news release [ [link removed] ].
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In the news
newspaper beside a coffee cup
*Minneapolis Medicaid provider charged with theft after $3 million fraud case:* Attorney General Keith Ellison announced eight counts of felony theft against a home health provider for stealing over $3 million from Minnesota’s Medicaid program. The state human services department referred the case for investigation. Learn more in a WDIO story [ [link removed] ].
*Cambios federales a Medicaid: tu guía oficial para entenderlos:* Tal vez oíste sobre los cambios federales que se vienen en Medicaid, un programa de seguro médico que se llama Asistencia Médica en Minnesota. Nada cambiará hasta octubre de 2026. Pero vale la pena mantenerse al día. Este mensaje en Latino American Today [ [link removed] ] cuenta con el apoyo del Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Minnesota.
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