016.20.95 Ark. Code R. 010

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 9, September, 2024
Rule 016.20.95-010 - Changes in Medical Services Policy Manual to Extend Medicaid Eligibility to Certain Recipients who have lost SSI Benefits
27. Pregnant Women found presumptively eligible by a Qualified Provider for ambulatory prenatal care. Re. MS 5600;
28. Individuals eligible for the U-18 category. Re. MS 6000;
29. Title IV-E and other Foster Children. Re. MS 6000 and 7000;
30. Non-Title IV-E Adoptive Children with Special Needs, Re. MS 6590;
31. Individuals eligible for the Medically Needy Program, Re. MS 7000;
32. Refugees eligible for Medicaid under "special eligibility period" criteria of Refugee Resettlement Program; and
33. Drug addicts and alcoholics who lose their SSI, provided that they meet certain requirements. Re: MS 2055.
2005Date Specific Eligibility

With date specific eligibility, for most Medicaid categories an individual's or family's eligibility may begin or end on any day of a month.

When eligibility is established, eligibility will begin on the day the application was registered, unless retroactive coverage is needed. If retroactive coverage is needed and if eligibility is established for a retroactive period, eligibility can begin up to 3 months prior to the date of application (but not on the first day of the third retroactive month unless the application was filed on the first day of a month).

Eligibility for most Medicaid categories under date specific eligibility may be terminated at any time. The end date of eligibility will be the last day of the 10 day advance notice period, unless a recipient requests a hearing within the advance notice period,

There are some Medicaid categories in which eligibility may not begin or end on any day of a month. These categories are: QMB (MS 2047), SMB (MS 2051), QOWI (MS 2048), and TM (MS 2061), Information about the begin and end dates for these categories is found in the eligibility section for each category.

2010Supplemental Security Income fSSI) Eligibles

Individuals who have been determined eligible for SSI benefits by the Social Security Administration (SSA) are eligible for Medicaid (i.e., recipients of straight SSI benefits, Mandatory State Supplements, SSI conditional payments and SSI presumptive disability payments).

The County Office is notified of SSI eligibles by printout as SSA makes information available to the Office of Information Systems (CIS). OIS will mail Medicaid ID cards to all SSI eligibles at certification.

SSA will notify OIS via the State Data Exchange system of changes for this group of eligibles. The County Office will notify the local SSA District Offices by means of a lead form, RVI-302, regarding current changes reported by/for individuals within this group (e.g., SSl recipient enters a nursing home).

2010.1National Correction Procedure

The National Correction Procedure is a process for notifying the Social. Security Administration (SSA) of changes that could affect SSI/Medicaid eligibility and/or the amount of State supplementation payments.

When information is received that is not reflected on the latest "SSI Recipient" printout, the County Office will submit the information to SSA via the SSA-391i, Report of Change-SSI Data. The following information can be reported:

Recipient's Name

Resources

Sex

Unearned Income Type

Date of Birth

Unearned Income Stop Date

Payee Name, Hailing Address, Zip Code

Unearned Income Amount

SSI Living Arrangement

Unearned Income Frequency

Date of Death (month, year)

Unearned Income Claim/ID Number

Marital Status

Earned Income Period

Residence Address, Zip Code

Earned Income Wage Estimate

State, County of Jurisdiction

Net Self-Employment Income Estimate

In addition, the County Office will properly identify the recipient and/or any other individual, the reason for submittal, and the Service Representative requesting the change. Supporting documentation will be submitted if available.

The Service Representative will complete Parts I and II of the SSA-3911. Completion and routing are self-explanatory with the following exceptions:.

Item 8. - Enter Bureau of Supplemental Security Income, 1200 Main Tower Bldg., Dallas, TX 75202,

Item 10. - Enter the information from the "SSI Recipients" printout that needs correction,

2051.6Changes
A.Disregard of SSA Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)

The SSA COLA increases which are received in January of each year will be disregarded for SRB applicants and recipients until the month after the new Federal Poverty Levels are issued to counties. The new FPLs are usually issued in March with an effective date of April 1st.

When Counties receive the new SMB income limits, effective April 1, the individual's income, including the January COLA increase, will be compared to the new SMB income limit to determine if eligibility will continue for April and later months.

If an individual or couple is ineligible due to the COLA increase, an EMS-700 will be sent as advance notice of closure, and case will be closed when the notice expires.

B.Reevaluations

SMB reevaluations will be conducted annually. All eligibility factors will be redetermined. Completion of Forms EMS-777, EMS-707, and EMS-769 are needed at each reevaluati on. Form EMS-662 wi 11 be completed, i f necessary.

C.Closure

If a change occurs that affects eligibility, a ten day advance notice of closure will be issued via the EMS-700 or EMS-55, unless advance notice is not required (Re, MS 3633). Form EMS-57 will be completed for the closure effective the date that the notice expires. With date specific eligibility, eligibility will be terminated when the ten day notice period has ended, unless the recipient requests a hearing within the ten days.

2055Medicaid for Drug Addicts and Alcoholics fPA&
A)

Section 201 of Public Law 103-296, the Social Security Independence and Program Improvements Act of 1994, mandates that States provide Medicaid to drug addicts and alcoholics who have lost their SSI, provided that they meet certain requirements.

The law which extended coverage for this group became effective March I, 1995. Individuals found eligible under provisions of the law will be entitled to the full range of Medicaid benefits.

2055.1Social Security Administration Responsibilities

The Social Security Administration will identify those individuals who are:

Disabled, when drug addiction or alcoholism is material to the finding of their disability; and

Their SSI benefits were suspended solely for noncompliance with treatment; or

Their SSI benefits were terminated because of the 36 month limit for SSI benefits provided under the DA&A provisions.

SSA will submit the names of potential DA&A eligibles via the SDX exchange, utilizing a code "P" to the Central Office of Information Systems (OIS). A listing of potential DA&A eligibles will be issued to the appropriate county office by OIS.

These individuals will be identified on WASM by a code "NiO" or "Nll"in the pay status code (PSC) field.

2055.2County Office Responsibilities

Upon receipt of the listing of potential DA&A eligibles from OIS, the county office will notify the individuals that application will be needed to determine continuing Medicaid eligibility,

2055.3Eligibility Requirements

When a DA&A application is received, the county office will determine eligibility with the exception of disability. The determination of disability will have already been made by SSA.

1. Income - Countable income will be determined according to AABD guidelines (Re. MS 3340-3348) and compared to the current SSI payment standards. Effective 1/1/95 these levels are:

Individual

$458.00

Couple

$687.00

In-Kind Support and Maintenance is considered in DA&A determinations. The general SSI exclusions will be given. Deeming procedures for an ineligible spouse will apply.

2. Resources - Countable resources will be determined according to AABD guidelines (Re, MS 3330-3333) and compared to the current SSI resource limits:

Individual

$2,000

Couple

$3,000

There will be no penalty imposed for transfer of resources.

3. Social Security Enumeration - Re. MS 1390
4. Citizenship or Alien Status - Re. MS 3324
5. Residency - Re. MS 2200
6. Mandatory Assignment of Rights to Medical Support/Third Party Liability -Re. 1350
2055.4Application Procedures

Application for the DA&A program will be made on form DCO-777. The county office will register the application on WIMA in category 41. Other forms to be completed at the application interview include the DCO-86, DCO-87, DCO-652, DCO-777. DCO-769, and DCO-707.

2055.5Disposition and System Procedures
A. Approval - If all eligibility requirements are met, the application may be approved for DA&A. The Service Representative will compete the following tasks:
1. Complete form DCO-57 for a Category 41 approval on WASM, using a "B" action type. The closed SSI case number will be used.
2. The Medicaid Begin Date entered on WASM will be the date of application, unless retroactive coverage is needed, in which case coverage may be given up to three months prior to the date of application.
3. Code form DCO-87 (if used by the county) for the next annual reevaluation or anticipated change.
4. Notify applicant of approval by form DCO-700 or DCO-55.
B.Denial - If the applicant does not meet all the eligibility requirements, the application will be denied. The Service Representative will complete the following tasks:
1. Record pertinent information in case narrative to verify the denial decision.
2. Complete denial data on DCO-777.
3. Notify applicant of denial by DCO-700 or DCO-55.
C.Withdrawal - If the applicant wishes to withdraw the application, a signed statement to that effect must be obtained from the applicant. The Service Representative will then proceed with the above steps for denying the application.
2055.6Changes/Closure

When a change occurs that affects eligibility, a ten day advance notice will be given via DCO-700 or DCO-55, unless advance notice is not required (Re. MS 3633). Form DCO-57 will be completed with a "C" action type effective the date that the notice expires.

2055.7Reevaluation

Reevaluations will be conducted on an annual basis. At reevaluation, all factors of eligibility will be redetermined (Re. MS 2055.3). Forms DCO-777, DCO-707 and DCO-769 will be completed. Form DCO-662 will be completed, if necessary. The DCO-87, if used by the county, will be coded for the next reevaluation and/or anticipated change.

To complete a reevaluation of an open DA&A case, only the minimum record entries are required (i.e., "0" action, action date, worker number, action reason "201", client notice indicator, and reevaluation date).

2061Transitional Medicaid (TM) Category 25

The Family Support Act of 1988 ( Public Law 100-485), requires that certain AFDC families (Categories 20 or 21) who lose eligibility April 1, 1990, or later, due to earned income must be given six (6) months of Initial Transitional Medicaid benefits without an application for such assistance. These families may also qualify for an Additional 6 Months Transitional Medicaid Extension.

2061.1Extent of Services

Individuals approved for Transitional Medicaid will be eligible for the full range of Medicaid services, including services under the Children's Health Services Program.

2061.2Eligibility Requirements

In addition to the standard Medicaid eligibility requirements of citizenship, enumeration and child support enforcement, the following requirements must be met in determining eligibility for the Initial 6 Months TM Extension period:

1. The family must have become ineligible for AFDC due to increased wages, increased hours of employment, or the loss of the 1/3 or $30 earned income exclusion of the parent (or non-parent specified relative), or the loss of the 1/3 or $30 earned income exclusion of any family member who was included in the grant.
2. The family must have received AFDC in at least 3 of the 6 months immediately preceding the first month of AFDC ineligibility.
3. The family members must have been residents of Arkansas in the last month of AFDC eligibility, and must continue to reside in Arkansas.
4. There must be an eligible child under age 18 in the home.

In addition to the eligibility criteria stated above, the following eligibility requirements must also be met in the Additional 6 Months TM Extension period:

5. The family must have received TM in each month of the Initial 6 Months TM Extension period.
6. There must continue to be an eligible child under age 18 in the home.
7. The parent (or non-parent specified relative) must have met the reporting requirement of the 1st 6 months and must meet the reporting requirements in the 1st and 4th months of the Additional TM Extension period.
8. The parent (or non-parent specified relative) must continue to be employed and receive earnings in each month preceding the 2nd and 3rd report periods of the additional TM extension period, unless good cause exists.
9. The average monthly gross earnings of the eligible members (less paid child care costs) cannot exceed 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Resources, deprivation, and unearned income are not eligibility factors for TM.

A rereferral to CSEU is not required.

2061.3AFDC Case Closure - Due to Earnings

The AFDC case closure must be due solely to increased wages, increased hours of employment, or loss of the 1/3 or $30 earned income exclusion of the parent (or non-parent specified relative); or to loss of the 1/3 or $30 earned income exclusion of any family member who was included in the AFDC grant when the family became ineligible.

016.20.95 Ark. Code R. 010

7/19/1995