MSHO is Minnesota's voluntary integrated managed-care program for people 65+ who are enrolled in both Medical Assistance and Medicare Parts A & B — it combines Medicaid, Medicare, and Part D benefits into one coordinated plan with a single care coordinator. Plan availability varies by county and by year, so families should confirm which MSHO health plans currently serve their specific Twin Cities county.
The detail behind the program
MSHO is aimed specifically at 'dual eligible' seniors — those who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid — and its appeal is coordination: instead of juggling separate Medicare Advantage or Part D decisions alongside Medical Assistance, a single health plan and care coordinator manage the whole picture, including referrals for waiver services like the Elderly Waiver when needed. Because MSHO operates through contracted health plans rather than being a single statewide program, the specific plans available in Hennepin County are not guaranteed to be identical to those available in Washington or Anoka County, and plan contracts are re-competed periodically. A family exploring MSHO should call the Senior LinkAge Line or check DHS's current plan list for their specific county before assuming a particular plan is available.
Related questions
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