Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) and Minnesota Senior Care Plus (MSC+)

Most Minnesota Medical Assistance members 65 and older are enrolled in Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO), which combines Medicare and MA, or Minnesota Senior Care Plus (MSC+). The plan’s care coordinator arranges long-term services. This page is part of our Minnesota Long-Term Care Medicaid guide.

Figures change periodically. Double-check current amounts before relying on them.

At a glance

Item	Details
Type of program	Combined Medicare and Medicaid health plan
Who runs it	Minnesota DHS, through health plans
Age	65 and older
Care need	Any
Minnesota 2026 income rule (long-term care)	$1,330 a month (MA for people 65+, blind or disabled), with a spenddown above it. Elderly Waiver special income standard: $2,982
Minnesota 2026 asset limit (single applicant)	$3,000
Waiting list	No

MSHO and MSC+ in brief

Put simply, responsibility for MSHO and MSC+ sits with Minnesota DHS, through health plans. It serves 65 and older, and the care requirement is: Any. On waiting lists, the current picture is: No. Each of these points is covered in more depth below, alongside the general Minnesota rules from our state guide. If MSHO and MSC+ is not the right fit, the related pages at the end point to other Minnesota programs and general guides.

What the program is

MSHO is a combined Medicare and Medical Assistance plan for people 65 and older who have both programs; enrollment is voluntary. MSC+ covers Medical Assistance services only, and it is the default for people 65 and older who do not choose MSHO. Both include a care coordinator who handles MnCHOICES assessments and arranges Elderly Waiver services, and both cover nursing facility care.

In Minnesota, as elsewhere, most people who need Long-Term Care Medicaid also have Medicare. Medicare is the first payer for medical care and drugs, and Medicaid covers long-term care and fills Medicare’s gaps. A combined plan puts both programs under one card and one care team. See Dual eligibility.

Who qualifies in 2026

Eligibility for MSHO and MSC+ comes down to these points. The person:

Is 65 or older
Has Medical Assistance

The money test. The person must have Medical Assistance. The income and asset figures in the table above are Minnesota’s 2026 Long-Term Care Medicaid figures from our state guide. Minnesota DHS’s countable assets do not usually include the home (within the equity limit, if the applicant or a spouse lives there or intends to return), one car, personal belongings and a small burial fund. Married couples get extra protection in Minnesota: the spouse at home keeps a share of assets and may get some of the applicant’s income. See Spousal impoverishment rules.

What services it can pay for

The plan of care decides which services are used. MSHO and MSC+ can cover:

Medical care
Elderly Waiver services
Nursing home care
Care coordination

Not every participant gets every service; the plan reflects assessed need and the help family already gives. When needs grow, request an updated assessment.

How to apply

Applying usually involves two decisions: one about money (financial eligibility for Medicaid) and one about care needs. In plain terms, the steps are:

Apply for Medical Assistance with your county or online.
After approval, choose MSHO or an MSC+ plan (or be enrolled in MSC+).
Your care coordinator contacts you and completes an assessment if long-term care is needed.

Our documents checklist and Applying for a waiver guide list the paperwork.

Waiting lists

There is no waiting list for MSHO or MSC+. Enrollment follows Medical Assistance approval.

See Waiver waiting lists for general tips.

How it relates to nursing home Medicaid

Both plans cover nursing facility care and Elderly Waiver services, so the care coordinator can help a member move between settings. Joining a plan does not change Medical Assistance financial rules.

Rules shared with nursing home Medicaid. As in nearly every state, Minnesota’s financial rules for home and community programs follow its nursing home rules closely. Gifts and below-value transfers in the five-year look-back can trigger a penalty period for home care as well as nursing home care. Minnesota DHS can also use estate recovery to seek repayment for long-term care services received after 55. Under MSHO and MSC+, income above an allowance may go toward the cost of care each month.

Income in a nursing home. In 2026, Minnesota lets a nursing home resident keep $132 a month (clothing and personal needs) for personal needs; the rest of their income mostly pays toward care. Our state guide covers the nursing home rules in detail.

Choosing a plan: questions to ask

Does the network include my doctors, pharmacy and hospital?
Are my prescriptions on the plan’s drug list, and are there limits on any of them?
How do I reach my care coordinator, and how often will we talk?
How does the plan arrange home care, adult day services or a nursing home if my needs change?
What extra benefits does the plan offer, such as dental, vision, hearing or transportation?
How do I change plans or leave if it does not work for me?

Keep notes with dates; networks and extras can change each year.

Tips for families

Do not wait for a crisis. Lists and assessments for MSHO and MSC+ take time, and the start date is usually when you first request help.
Document everything, from forms and letters to who you spoke with at Minnesota DHS and when.
Watch the deadlines on notices. A denial or cut can be appealed through a fair hearing, and a timely request can keep services going meanwhile.
Report changes promptly, including income, assets, a move or a new living arrangement.
Plan for renewals. Medicaid and the care assessment are both renewed, usually once a year. See Renewals.
Think about the spouse at home. Couples have extra protections, but they have to be claimed. A certified Medicaid planner or a legal aid office can explain how the rules apply to a particular family.

Common questions

Do I have to join a plan? Most Medical Assistance members 65 and older are in MSHO or MSC+.

What is the difference? MSHO combines Medicare and MA in one plan; MSC+ covers MA only.

Can I change plans? Yes, under the rules for each program.

Who is my care coordinator? A nurse or social worker assigned by your plan or county.

Last updated for 2026. General information only, not legal or financial advice. Medicaid Answers is a free educational resource published by Medicaid Answers Foundation.