016.20.98 Ark. Code R. 004
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135% of the Federal Poverty Level and who ntfets all other requirements for the category will be eligible for payment [LESS THAN][GREATER THAN]f the Medicare Part B premium. Re. MS 2073; and
175% of the Federal Poverty Level and who meets all other requirements for the category will have a portion of the Medicare Part B premium paid. Re. MS 2074.
With date specific eligibility, for most Medicaid categories, an individual's or family's eligibility may begin or end on any day °f amonth.
When eligibility is established, eligibility will begin on the day the application was registered, unless retroactive coverage isneeded. If retroactive coverage is needed and if eligibility is establisnedfora retroactive period, eligibility can begin up to 3 months prior to thedateof 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), QDWI (MS 2048), and TM (MS 2061). Information about tne begin and end dates for these categories is found in the eligibility section foreach category.
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 (OIS). 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., SSI recipient enters a nursing home).
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-3911, 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, Mailing 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 County Office Worker requesting the change. Supporting documentation will be submitted if available.
The county officer worker will complete Parts I and II of the SSA-3911. Completion and routing are self-explanatory with the following exceptions:
Care Referrals
The County Office is responsible for investigation and follow-up on each referral received from the State Hospital. An initial investigation will be made on all referrals to determine whether the patient is already eligible for Medicaid.
When it is determined that the patient is Medicaid eligible, a notice of the patient's eligibility status will be forwarded to the State Hospital by interagency memorandum. The notice will include the following items (if known): the recipient's name, his ten digit Medicaid ID Number, his aid category, date of birth, SSN, and Medicare Claim Number and/or other health insurer information. Correspondence will be mailed to: Director, Social Work Dept., State Hospital, 4313 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72201. No other action will be required for known Medicaid eligibles.
If a referred patient is not Medicaid eligible, the County Office will take steps necessary to secure and process an application for assistance in accordance with the requirements specified in MS 2071.
The State Hospital will be responsible for reporting when the patient is discharged. Discharge from the State Hospital by itself may not make the patient ineligible for Medicaid. The County Office will treat reported actions in accordance with the policies applicable to the category.
Section 4732 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-33) created the Qualifying Individuals-1 group of Medicaid eligibles. These are individuals who would be QMBs except that their income exceeds the QMB income level, and is at least 12056 but less than 135% of the Federal Poverty Level.
QI-ls will not be eligible for the full range of Medicaid benefits. QI-ls will be eligible for payment of their Medicare Part B premium only. No other Medicare cost sharing charges will be covered.
Unlike QMBs and SMBs, a QI-1 may not be certified in another Medicaid category for simultaneous periods. A QI-1 may not be approved for a spend down and as a QI-1 for simultaneous periods. An individual who is eligible for both QI-1 and spend down will have to choose which coverage is wanted for a particular period of time.
Individuals eligible for the QI-1 program will not receive a Medicaid card.
Application will be made on Form DCO-777 by the individual requesting assistance, his/her authorized representative, or a person acting responsibly on the applicant's behalf.
When both members of a couple apply, separate applications will be completed and registered for each individual.
Other forms to be completed during the application process are the DCO-86, DC0-662, DC0-707, and DCO-769.
Applications will be registered on WIMA In Category 58.
The county office worker will have a maximum of 45 days to dispose of the application by approval, denial, or withdrawal.
To be certified as a QI-1, an individual must meet the same requirements as a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (with the exception of income). Each eligibility requirement will be verified and documented in the case record.
Individual | $4,000 |
Couple | $6,000 |
Resources are determined according to Long Term Care guidelines (MS 3330 -3337). No penalty will be imposed for transfer of resources.
Effective 4/1/97 these levels are:
120% | 135% | |
Individual | $ 789.00 | $ 887.62 |
Couple | $1061.00 | $1193.62 |
The LTC guidelines at MS 3340 - 3348 will be applied when determining countable income. The Supplemental Security Income exclusions at MS 3348 will be given. Inkind Support and Maintenance will be considered.
For couples, their combined net countable income, after all disregards and exclusions, will be compared to the couple's standard in determining the eligibility of each member of the couple. In determining eligibility for only one member of a couple, the procedures for deeming of income at MS 2111 - 2111.5 will apply.
Note: In determining eligibility each year between January 1 and April 1, the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the year will be disregarded until April 1; i.e., the SSA amount to be considered in the QI-1 budget will be the amount for the previous year. The current year's SSA amounts will not be considered until April 1 when the new Federal Poverty Level income limits become effective.
The beginning date of eligibility for payment of the Medicare Part B premium will be the first day of the month following the month of QI-1 certification (i.e., completion of the DCO-57). For example, if a QI-1 application is certified on June 15, the effective date of eligibility will be July 1.
QI-1 eligibility cannot begin earlier than the first day of the month following the month of certification. Retroactive coverage will not be authorized for QI-1's. If retroactive coverage is needed, eligibility will need to be determined in another category.
The SSA COLA increases which are received in January of each year will be disregarded for QI-1 applicants and recipients until the month after the new Federal Poverty Levels are issued to county offices. The new FPLs are usually issued in March with an effective date of April 1.
When county offices receive the new QI-1 income limits, the individual's income, including the January COLA increase, will be compared to the new income limit to determine if eligibility will continue.
If an individual or couple is ineligible due to the COLA increase, a DCO-700 will be sent as advance notice of closure. The case will be closed when the notice expires.
QI-1 reevaluations will be conducted annually. All eligibility factors will be redetermined. Forms DCO-777, DCO-707, and DCO-769 will be completed.
If a change occurs that affects eligibility, a ten (10) day advance notice of closure will be issued via DCO-700 or DCO-55, unless advance notice is not required (Re. MS 3633). Form DCO-57 will be completed for closure effective the date that the notice expires.
Section 4732 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-33) created the Qualifying Individuals-2 group of Medicaid eligibiles. These are individuals who would be QMBs except that their income exceeds the QMB income level, and is at least 135% but less than 175% of the Federal Poverty Level.
QI-2s will not be eligible for the full range of Medicaid benefits. QI-2s will be eligible for payment of a portion of their Medicare Part B premium only. No other Medicare cost sharing charges will be covered. The amount of the portion to be paid in 1998 is $1.07 per month.
Unlike QMBs and SMBs, a QI-2 may not be certified in another Medicaid category for simultaneous periods. A QI-2 may not be approved for a spend down and as a QI-2 for simultaneous periods. An individual who is eligible for both QI-2 and spend down will have to choose which coverage is wanted for a particular period of time.
Individuals eligible for the QI-2 program will not receive a Medicaid card.
Application will be made on Form DCO-777 by the individual requesting assistance, his/her authorized representative, or a person acting responsibly on the applicant's behalf.
When both members of a couple apply, separate applications will be completed and registered for each individual.
Other forms to be completed during the application process are the DCO-86, DCO-662, DCO-707, and DCO-769.
Applications will be registered on WIMA in Category 78.
The county office worker will have a maximum of 45 days to dispose of the application by approval, denial, or withdrawal.
To be certified as a QI-2, an individual must meet the same requirements as a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (with the exception of income). Each eligibility requirement will be verified and documented in the case record.
Individual | $4,000 |
Couple | $6,000 |
Resources are determined according to Long Term Care guidelines (MS 3330 -3337). No penalty will be imposed for transfer of resources.
Effective 4/1/97 these levels are:
135% | 175% | |
Individual | $ 887.62 | $1150.62 |
Couple | $1193.62 | $1547.29 |
The LTC guidelines at MS 3340 - 3348 will be applied when determining countable income. The Supplemental Security Income exclusions at MS 3348 will be given. Inkind Support and Maintenance will be considered.
For couples, their combined net countable income, after all disregards and exclusions, will be compared to the couple's standard in determining the eligibility of each member of the couple. In determining eligibility for only one member of a couple, the procedures for deeming of income at MS 2111 - 2111.5 will apply.
Note: In determining eligibility each year between January 1 and April 1, the Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for the year will be disregarded until April 1; i.e., the SSA amount to be considered in the QI-2 budget will be the amount for the previous year. The current year's SSA amounts will not be considered until April 1 when the new Federal Poverty Level income limits become effective.
The beginning date of eligibility will be the first day of the month following the month of QI-2 certification (i.e., completion of the DC0-57). For example, if a QI-2 application is certified on June 15, the effective date of eligibility will be July 1.
QI-2 eligibility cannot begin earlier that the first day of the month following the month of certification. Retroactive coverage will not be authorized for QI-2's. If retroactive coverage is needed, eligibility will need to be determined in another category.
The SSA COLA increases which are received in January of each year will be disregarded for QI-2 applicants and recipients until the month after the new Federal Poverty Levels are issued to county offices. The new FPLs are usually issued in March with an effective date of April 1.
When county offices receive the new QI-2 income limits, the individual's income, including the January COLA increase, will be compared to the new income limit to determine if eligibility will continue.
If an individual or couple is ineligible due to the COLA increase, a DCO-700 will be sent as advance notice of closure. The case will be closed when the notice expires.
QI-2 reevaluations will be conducted annually. All eligibility factors will be redetermined. Forms DCO-777, DCO-707, and DCO-769 will be completed.
If a change occurs what affects eligibility, a ten (10) day advance notice of closure will be issued via DCO-700 or DCO-55, unless advance notice is not required (Re. MS 3633). Form DC0-57 will be completed for closure effective the date that the notice expires.
Public Law 97-35, Section 2176, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, allows states the option of providing home and community based services, as an alternative to institutionalization, to a limited number of individuals with a developmental disability who would otherwise require an ICF/MR Level of Care.
The DDS Alternative Community Services Waiver Program was implemented in Arkansas on September 1, 1989, as a program designed to meet the needs of individuals who meet the ICF/MR level of care and who experience various health and social problems, thereby preventing unnecessary institutionalization and reducing health costs.
Individuals found eligible for the Waiver Program will receive the full range of Medicaid benefits, in addition to the Waiver services listed below.
Waiver services include: Case Management, Consultation Services, Crisis Abatement Respite Care Services, Integrated Supports Services, Physical Adaptation/Adaptive Aids, Specialized Medical Supplies, and Supported Employment Services.
Crisis abatement respite care services can be provided in a recipient's home, other place of residence, or temporary placement within the community such as an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded (ICF/MR) or a DDS licensed community group home. 2075.1 Eligibility Requirements
Waiver applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
or must be Categorically related Aged, Blind, or Disabled individuals who would be Medicaid eligible if in an institution (Re. MS 3321 & 3322).
If the Waiver applicant is living in the home of his/her parents, the parental Income/resources will be disregarded in determining Waiver eligibility. Any contributions made to the applicant by the parents will be counted as unearned income. In-Kind Support and Maintenance will not be considered as income to Waiver recipients.
016.20.98 Ark. Code R. 004