Health care coverage
Parental fees for children on Medical Assistance
Parents of children who have a disability may have to pay a monthly fee, called a parental fee.
Effective July 1, 2023, parents are no longer assessed a parental fee for children enrolled in Medical Assistance under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA) option or for children receiving home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers. To understand how these changes may impact your family, see the commonly asked questions below.
Parental fees may still be assessed for children who have a developmental disability, or a physical disability or emotional disturbance in 24-hour care outside the home. This includes the following:
- Medical facility such as a nursing home or an intermediate care facility for a person with a developmental disability
- State-operated psychiatric hospital for children
- Psychiatric residential treatment facility
How do I pay my parental fee?
After you get your parental fee bill, you can pay online or by mail.
Online
You can pay your parental fee online from your checking account or using a credit card. You can choose to make a one-time payment or set up recurring payments so that fees for future months are taken automatically.
- Online payments are credited the same day if made by 5 p.m. on a business day.
- Online payments are credited the next business day if made after 5 p.m. on a business day or on a weekend or holiday.
By mail
Be sure to allow enough time for your payment to arrive by the due date. Do not mail cash. Send your check or money order to:
DHS Parental Fee
PO Box 64171
St. Paul, MN 55164-0171
What if I cannot pay my parental fee on time?
Your child's coverage will not end because you did not pay your fee, as long as your child continues to be eligible for Medical Assistance. However, you may risk legal action including, but not limited to:
- Your account being sent to a collection agency
- Taking your state tax refund
- Garnishing your wages
Contact us
Call us at 651-431-3806 or 800-657-3751
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