Frequently asked questions for providers

Revalidation is a mandatory, periodic process to verify that provider enrollment information, credentials, and practice details are accurate and compliant with state and federal regulations. This process entails credential verification and may require unannounced site visits, and background checks depending on the risk levels of the Medicaid services you provide. It is a measure that helps combat fraud, increase program integrity, and safeguard Medicaid funding.

Off-cycle revalidation is a revalidation of a provider’s enrollment in MHCP that occurs outside the standard periodic revalidation cycle (every five years for most providers and every three years for certain designated providers.) The current off-cycle revalidation effort, also known as Minnesota Revalidate 2026, is required because of orders from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which instructed the department to revalidate all providers delivering high-risk benefits and services by May 31, 2026.

The following revalidation process steps are listed in approximate order that they occur. This list is for reference only and does not serve as a complete timeline of when steps occur because some steps and related required actions may happen at the same time. 

1. Notification: We send you a revalidation notice with instructions for revalidation based on your provider risk level and provider type file.
   • We send revalidation notices through U.S. Postal Service or to registered MN–ITS mailbox accounts (in the PRVLTR folder). You can also check if you are due for revalidation using the Minnesota Provider Screening and Enrollment (MPSE) portal.
   • We encourage providers to frequently check their MN–ITS mailbox for any notices about revalidation and their enrollment status.
   • Providers also receive messages via subscription email updates and our provider news and updates webpage.
   • Providers who received a revalidation notice before Jan. 26, 2026, are still required to complete the revalidation process.
   • Providers who were previously screened at the high-risk level and successfully completed an unannounced site visit in 2025 will not receive a revalidation notice.
2. Submit required documents: Within 30 days from the date on the revalidation notice we sent you, providers must upload all required documents in the MPSE portal or fax in all required documents.
   • Preparing required documents requires completing background studies for required individuals.
   • Pay the required application fee
3. Unannounced site visit: Within 60 days of the date that your revalidation documents are approved by Provider Eligibility and Compliance, we will conduct an unannounced site visit.
   • If you do not cooperate during the site visit, we will not approve your revalidation application.
   • You can start internally preparing for your on-site visit at any time.
4. Request for More Information (if applicable): If MHCP does not receive all required information, we will send you a request for more information (RFMI) notice asking for the remaining required information to complete revalidation. This information is due 30 days from the date on the RFMI notice.
   • If we do not receive all required information 30 days after the RFMI notice date, we will send you a 60-day notice of termination including provider appeal rights and options for reenrolling after termination.
5. Confirmation of revalidation or enrollment status: DHS will send a revalidation complete letter through U.S. Postal Service or to registered MN–ITS mailbox accounts (in the PRVLTR folder). If you submitted your request through the MPSE portal, you may log in at any time to check the status of your request (Pending Review, In Review, Draft or Completed).

If you submitted your request through the MPSE portal, you may log in at any time to check the status of your request (Pending Review, In Review, Draft or Completed). If you faxed in your request and have not received communication within 30 days of submission, contact the MHCP Provider Resource Center at 651-431-2700 or 800-366-5411.

DHS will send a revalidation complete letter through U.S. Postal Service or to registered MN–ITS mailbox accounts (in the PRVLTR folder). If you submitted your request through the MPSE portal, you may log in at any time to check the status of your request (Pending Review, In Review, Draft or Completed).

If some cases providers enrolled at either the limited or moderate risk category but have since been moved into the high-risk category. Those providers must revalidate again because they need to be screened according to high-risk designation, which includes announced site visits and background checks.

The law requires a screening fee for each new high-risk screening cycle regardless of whether it is off-cycle or part of the regular cycle. Refer to the Application Fees section for more information.

Providers that were screened at the high-risk level in 2025 are not required to pay the fee again.

No, exemptions are not available for off-cycle revalidation because this is a federal requirement.

If providers have already submitted their revalidation documentation, they may disregard the call. However, we encourage all providers to frequently check their MN–ITS mailbox for any notices about revalidation and their enrollment status.

We recommend the following if you are uncertain about what needs to be submitted:

• Review the instructions carefully
• Attend the MHCP roundtable sessions – Send an email to mhcp.roundtables.dhs@state.mn.us with your name, title and organization if you are interested in attending the provider roundtable. 
• Contact the MHCP Provider Resource Center at 651-431-2700 or 800-366-5411.
• Email questions to revalidation.inquiries.dhs@state.mn.us. This email address is only for questions about a Revalidation Request for More Information letter or the revalidation process. We will not reply to messages unrelated to these topics. Also, do not email private health information or case specific information. For all other questions, call the MHCP Provider Resource Center at 651-431-2700 or 800-366-5411.

Processing times vary by provider type, submission method and volume of applications. Providers should note the following:

• MPSE submissions are processed more quickly and allow tracking.
• Fax submissions take longer because they must be manually matched and reviewed.

We will terminate MHCP enrollment for providers who do not revalidate by May 31, 2026.

We conduct unannounced site visits at every enrolled service location that is listed in the Minnesota Provider Screening and Enrollment (MPSE) portal. Providers must maintain a physical service location that is operational during their reported business hours even if many staff work remotely. The screener will attempt to contact the provider if no individual is present when the screener arrives.

Providers are expected to have a staff member who can conduct the announced site visit available during the posted hours of operation. It is the provider’s responsibility to ensure timely access and an appropriate response to the announced site visit. Screeners are not required to wait extended periods of time for someone to arrive.

The individual conducting the site visit must be able to verify the business operations, provide requested documentation and answer basic compliance and operation questions. Individuals such as managers, owners or authorized agents can typically best provide this information.

Providers can designate in MPSE an individual to complete the site visit when completing revalidation. However, an individual such as managing employee, authorized agent or owner in a provider’s enrollment record may also participate in site visits.

Yes; however, only one name can be entered into the MPSE. Within their business operations, providers can identify multiple staff members and a contact list to ensure staff will be available to conduct a site during business hours. The individual conducting the site visit must be able to verify the business operations, provide requested documentation and answer basic compliance and operation questions. Individuals such as managers, owners or authorized agents can typically best provide this information.

If the main contact is unavailable, another authorized designee must available to conduct the site visit. If the secondary contact is unavailable, the screener will attempt to contact the provider to determine next steps. Providers must quickly respond to communications received from on-site screeners. Not responding to communications and repeated unsuccessful attempts to conduct the site visit may negatively impact the provider’s revalidation and possibly result in terminating enrollment.

It is the provider’s responsibility to establish a plan that ensures an individual is available to conduct a site visit for each of their locations. The individual must be able to verify the business operations, provide requested documentation and answer basic compliance and operation questions. Individuals such as managers, owners or authorized agents can typically best provide this information.

Yes, corporate or compliance staff may join virtually (phone or video) to assist. However, an on-site representative must still be physically present; and the screener must be able to physically verify the location and operations. Virtual participation is supplemental and not a substitute for physical presence. The screener has the authority to determine if the on-site representative is sufficiently able to conduct the site visit.

Providers must list actual business hours during which the enrolled service location is open and operational.

After revalidation documents have been processed and accepted, providers will receive a letter letting them know to expect an unannounced site visit within the next 60 days (from the date on the letter).

We anticipate conducting site visits within 60 days of processing and accepting revalidation documentation.

Screeners will ask questions about how records and enrollment documentation are stored and maintained. There are no specific requirements that documents be kept in a particular format (electronic or paper).

Refer to the Off-cycle Revalidation Background Studies for High-risk Providers webpage for information on who needs a background study.

Refer to the question “What if I own more than one high-risk program?” Email engage.bgs@state.mn.us if you have additional questions.

Refer to the Off-cycle Revalidation Background Studies for High-risk Providers webpage for information on who needs a background study.

Refer to the question “If I have a "Closed – Eligible in NS1" background study status, do I need a new study?” for guidance.

Different provider types have different requirements. Fingerprints are a federal requirement for high-risk provider types. Refer to the Off-cycle Revalidation Background Studies for High-risk Providers webpage for more information.