Serving Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Scott, Dakota & Carver Counties
Our Services / CMDE Assessments
CMDE Assessment Minnesota Families Can Start With Confidence
Elite Services Center Inc. completes CMDEs, the Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation that Minnesota requires, before a child can receive therapy through the EIDBI benefit. We offer a virtual option, and if your child already has a current CMDE, we can often use it instead of starting over.
Your CMDE assessment results in Minnesota become the foundation of your child’s treatment plan, and our team walks you through every finding in plain language.
What is a CMDE?
A CMDE is Minnesota’s evaluation for deciding whether EIDBI services are medically necessary for a child and what those services should include. Without it, EIDBI-funded therapy cannot begin.
The evaluation looks at communication, social interaction, behavior, motor skills, and daily living skills. The state’s own description notes that it includes an observation of the child, a medical exam, and a summary of standardized tests and assessment tools.
Families often call it the EIDBI CMDE because its main job is to open the door to EIDBI services. Every CMDE assessment Minnesota providers complete is recorded on the same standard state form, so results look consistent no matter who evaluates your child.
Eligibility
Who is a CMDE for, and who meets EIDBI eligibility?
A CMDE is for any child who may need EIDBI services and does not already have a current one. Most families come to us after a pediatrician, school, or early childhood screening flags a possible developmental concern, often related to autism.
A child meets EIDBI eligibility when all four of these are true:
01
A qualifying condition
Autism spectrum disorder or a related condition.
02
Medical necessity
Documented through a CMDE.
03
Qualifying coverage
Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, TEFRA (a medical assistance option for children with disabilities), or another qualifying Minnesota health care program.
04
Age
Younger than 21.
The CMDE assessment Minnesota requires for EIDBI is what confirms the first two. In our experience, many families start with a referral or a general worry rather than a formal diagnosis, and that is completely fine.
What’s Included
What is included in your child’s CMDE
| Part of the evaluation | What it involves |
|---|---|
| History review | Your child’s developmental and medical history, plus existing records |
| Direct observation | Time with your child in structured and play-based settings |
| Standardized tools | Developmental and behavioral assessment measures |
| Caregiver interview | A structured conversation about strengths, challenges, and routines |
| Written summary | Specific, individualized recommendations for your family |
| Results meeting | Our clinical team explains the findings in plain language. |
Minnesota law requires the evaluation to reflect your family’s primary spoken language, culture, and values. If your family prefers a language other than English, tell us when you schedule. Nothing in the evaluation is painful or invasive, and young children often experience the observation as guided play.
Benefits
Benefits of completing a CMDE
The CMDE turns a worry into a clear, funded plan. It is the one step that connects your child to EIDBI services.
How It Works
How it works, from first call to treatment plan
01
You reach out
Call or message us. A member of our team typically responds within one to two business days.
02
We learn about your child
We ask about history and any earlier evaluations or referrals. Bring documents from a pediatrician, school, or screening if you have them.
03
We check your benefits
Our team verifies coverage before anything is scheduled.
04
The CMDE is completed.
Most take one to two appointments, in person or through our virtual option. Young children often do better with shorter visits, so we plan around your child’s attention span.
05
We review the results with you
Findings are explained in plain language, with no jargon and no rushed explanations.
06
Your treatment plan is built
The findings become your child’s individual treatment plan (ITP), finalized at your first coordinated care conference.
Not sure whether your child needs a new CMDE? Call 612-298-2897 and we will tell you honestly.
Compare
How is a CMDE different from a diagnosis or a school evaluation?
Each answers a different question. Knowing which one you have saves families months.
| Medical diagnosis | EIDBI CMDE | School evaluation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Question it answers | Does my child have autism? | What does my child need, and is EIDBI therapy medically necessary? | Does my child qualify for special education? |
| Leads to | Medical care and insurance coverage | An EIDBI treatment plan | An IEP or IFSP at school |
| Counts as a medical diagnosis | Yes | It may | No |
This follows the Minnesota Department of Human Services comparison of special education and EIDBI. A school evaluation is valuable, but on its own it does not open EIDBI services.
Transfer
Can you transfer a CMDE evaluation from another provider?
Yes, in most cases. If your child has a current, valid CMDE, we can typically use it to go straight to building the treatment plan. Minnesota’s EIDBI rules allow a provider agency to submit a CMDE for medical necessity review when the family or another provider shares a complete copy.
To transfer CMDE evaluation results to us, send:
A new CMDE is usually needed when the existing one is older than three years, is incomplete, or no longer reflects your child after a major change. We review what you send and tell you plainly which applies.
Choosing a Provider
How do you choose between CMDE providers in MN?
Choose based on your child’s needs, your family’s language and schedule, and what happens after the evaluation. Minnesota law gives families the right to request the CMDE provider of their choice, and any qualified evaluator must be a licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or mental health professional with at least 2,000 hours of autism-related clinical experience.
Questions worth asking CMDE providers in MN:
Some families prefer the same team for evaluation and therapy, others prefer an outside evaluator. Both are valid, and we accept a CMDE from any qualified provider. Either way, EIDBI services pass a medical necessity review by the state’s review agent or your health plan before treatment is authorized. Enrolled evaluators are also listed through the Minnesota Autism Resource Portal.
Cost & Coverage
Is a CMDE covered by insurance?
For children enrolled in a qualifying Minnesota health care program, the CMDE assessment Minnesota requires is a covered part of the EIDBI benefit. Under fee-for-service medical assistance, one CMDE per child each year can be completed without prior authorization.
Coverage still varies by plan, especially with managed care and private insurance. We confirm your specific benefits during verification and explain any out-of-pocket responsibility before the evaluation begins. See our EIDBI insurance and payment options.
Why Families Choose Us
Why families choose Elite Services Center Inc for their child’s CMDE
Service Area
Service area
We serve families across Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, Washington, Scott, Dakota and Carver counties from our Minneapolis office at 2021 E Hennepin Ave, Ste 187. Services are primarily delivered in-center, with in-home and telehealth options available in select cases.
Schedule your child’s CMDE, or have us review an existing one
A CMDE shapes years of care decisions, so it deserves care and accuracy. A CMDE assessment Minnesota families complete with us starts with a calm, no-pressure conversation.