The State Medical Review Team (SMRT)

The State Medical Review Team (SMRT) makes disability determinations for people not certified disabled by the Social Security Administration (SSA). SMRT completes disability determinations according to disability criteria defined by the SSA. The county, tribal or state servicing agency submits a referral to SMRT on behalf of the person to start the process.

Once the county or tribal financial worker submits a referral to SMRT, paperwork is mailed out to the client and, if applicable, their authorized representative. This paperwork is necessary for SMRT to request evidence and determine whether the individual meets disability criteria.

There are several forms used in the process (edocs):

Important: Please do not submit documents to SMRT until you have verified that there is a referral in our system.

SMRT Upload Portal: SMRT Document Portal (DHS-8462)
SMRT fax: 651-431-7457
Mailing address: PO Box 64248, St. Paul, MN 55164-0248
If you have questions or need assistance completing your forms, call the SMRT hotline or contact your disability analyst.
SMRT hotline: 651-431-2493 or 800-235-7396

A SMRT certification of disability is one part of establishing eligibility for:

Medical Assistance (MA), Minnesota’s Medicaid program
MA under the Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act option
Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities
Home and Community-Based Services disability waiver programs
- Community Alternative Care
- Community Access for Disability Inclusion
- Brain Injury
- Developmental Disability
Family Support Grant
Emergency Medical Assistance

SMRT will do a certification of disability for the following reasons as well:

To be excluded from managed care enrollment
To enroll in Special Needs Basic Care
To create certain trusts

At the end of the certification period, SMRT may complete a continuing disability review (CDR). Following SSA criteria, SMRT collects and examines current medical evidence to determine whether the severity of the person’s impairment has improved since the last review.

SMRT received 7,803 referrals in fiscal year 2023 that included the following information:

The average length of time from referral to a decision was 71 days.
72% of all decisions were made in less than 90 days from the date of referral.
The average number of phone calls handled by SMRT staff each month is 5,423.

For program information, see the Minnesota Health Care Eligibility Policy Manual 2.3.2.2 Certification of Disability.

For accessible formats of this information or assistance with additional equal access to human services, email DHS.info@state.mn.us, call 877-627-3848, or use your preferred relay service.

Find information about how to request a MnCHOICES Assessment at:

SMRT Portal: SMRT Document Portal (DHS-8462)

To learn more about the programs and services offered for disabled people living in Minnesota, see the home and community services and supports webpage.