MINNEAPOLIS, January 15, 2008—The Department of Human Services has redesigned the Minnesota Health Care Programs Application (HCAPP) form, making it shorter and easier to use. The redesign effort was in in response to concerns that the length of the application discouraged people from applying for Medical Assistance payment of long-term care services.

Two new eight-page applications have replaced the previous 24-page questionnaire. Several questions were removed from the Basic Health Care Application. A separate application also was created for coverage of long-term care or waiver services. Counties and other agencies will receive a supply of the new forms soon.

Consumers played a significant role in the development of the shortened HCAPP. Consumer testing identified how an applicant perceives the application.

Two different health care applications are also available now:

• Minnesota Health Care Programs Application (HCAPP) (DHS-3417-ENG 12-07) The HCAPP is designed for persons who wish to apply for Minnesota Health Care Programs coverage but are not requesting MA payment for LTC services, including waiver services.
• Minnesota Health Care Programs Application for Long-Term Care and Waiver Services (DHS-3531-ENG 12-07)

The Minnesota Health Care Programs Application for Long-Term Care and Waiver Services is designed for individuals who are requesting MA payment of LTC services, including waiver services. 

Both the shortened HCAPP and Long-Term Care and Waiver Services Application ask only those questions required to accurately determine eligibility or to decide if additional information is needed to complete an eligibility determination.

News release from DHS