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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Minnesota Families Face Loss of Round-the-Clock Home Nursing Coverage
SAINT PAUL, MN (September 26, 2026). Approximately 250 Minnesota families caring for children and other patients with complex disabilities could face reductions in medically necessary home nursing after two major insurers changed how they interpret a state coverage requirement.
A law enacted in 2010 requires commercial health plans to cover medically necessary home nursing for patients who also receive Medicaid. Medica and HealthPartners provided that coverage for approximately 15 years but placed new limits on nursing benefits last year, according to families and lawmakers challenging the changes.
The insurers maintain that Medicaid waiver programs can provide additional services after commercial benefits are exhausted. Families say the Medicaid allocations do not necessarily provide enough money or nursing hours to replace the coverage being limited.
Nick and Sam Keis are among the affected parents. Their 6-year-old daughter, Guinevere, requires nursing care around the clock because of serious medical conditions associated with her premature birth.
The family previously received Medica coverage for a nurse 18 hours a day, seven days a week. Her parents say available Medicaid waiver funding would not provide enough nursing coverage to meet her needs.
A bipartisan group of 45 lawmakers has asked Gov. Tim Walz and the Minnesota Department of Commerce to enforce the existing law. A legislative proposal intended to clarify the coverage requirement did not pass during the 2026 session.
The Commerce Department is reviewing insurance plans for 2027. Walz’s office said the governor has instructed the department to explore possible administrative solutions while supporting stronger legislative protections for children with disabilities.
Without administrative or legislative action, affected families could be forced to reduce professional nursing hours, leave employment to provide care themselves or seek more expensive institutional services.
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