MC #17 (10/10)

STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC Manual Change Manual Change #17

MANUAL: Aged, Disabled and Long Term Care Medicaid Eligibility Manual

Date: October 1, 2010

We are making several changes to incorporate new policy, clarify existing policy, and align policies within our program manuals. This includes:

The Long Term Care income limit will change to 300% of the prevailing SSI Supplemental Security Income standard as of September 1, 2010.

A written request from the recipient is a valid reason to end a child's continuous eligibility period.

Individuals who receive SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance , SSI Supplemental Security Income , or Medicaid are only exempt from verifying their citizenship status if they claim to be a U.S. United States citizen or national. Non-citizens must still verify their alien status.

A new section explains how to handle trust document changes.

The person to contact in Division of Health Care Services ( DHCS Division of Health Care Services ) when a transfer of assets penalty is imposed has changed.

Other changes are either technical in nature or clarifications that are the result of policy questions or suggestions from the field.

Highlights of these policy revisions are described below. If you have any questions please contact the Policy and Program Development Team at 465-3382 or email dpapolicy@alaska.gov .

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 515 Continuous Eligibility for Children

Adds "written request from the recipient requesting case closure" as a reason to end the continuous eligibility period. Clarifies that the continuous eligibility period applies to all individuals under age 19, even if the individual is the Primary Information (PI) person on their own case.

MS 516 Retroactive Medicaid

Clarifies that a client can request retroactive Medicaid at any time, even if they have been denied previously for failing to provide requested verification. The caseworker can determine eligibility for the three months prior to any application for Medicaid. Clarifies that client statement is allowed regarding the value of a resource, unless questionable. Clarifies that the individual requesting retroactive Medicaid must meet all of the requirements for the Medicaid category, both financial and non-financial.

MS 520B U.S. United States Citizenship and Eligible Alien Status

Clarifies that recipients of SSDI Social Security Disability Insurance , SSI Supplemental Security Income , or Medicare are exempt from verifying their U.S. United States citizenship but this exemption only applies to individuals that claim to be U.S. United States citizens or nationals. Non-citizens must still verify their alien status. Clarifies that "individuals that have received a 90-day period to provide proof of U.S. United States citizenship are not entitled to receive this again". No further Medicaid benefits will be authorized for the individuals until verification of their U.S. United States citizenship is received.

MS 528A Initial Case Processing

Clarifies that the trust document should be sent to DHCS Division of Health Care Services / TPL Third Party Liability Unit once policy has approved the trust and the Medicaid case has been approved.

MS 528B Processing APA Adult Public Assistance Related Medicaid Case with Trusts

Clarifies that the trust reporting form that needs to be sent to the TPL Third Party Liability Unit is provided to the Eligibility Technician by policy in an email when the trust is approved.

MS 528G Trust Changes

Adds a new section to explain how to handle changes that occur to trust documents.

MS 550C Special Long Term Care Eligibility Category

Updates the Long Term Care income limit to 300% of the prevailing SSI Supplemental Security Income standard, which increases each year.

MS 554D Look-Back Period

Clarifies that a transfer of property can occur before the transfer is officially recorded. The look-back period is measured from the date the transfer of property actually occurred, not necessarily when the transfer was officially recorded. An unrecorded conveyance is valid.

MS 554L Transfer Penalty and Partial Months

Changes the person to contact in Health Care Services when a transfer of assets penalty is imposed.

MS 580B Special Low Income Medicare Beneficiary ( SLMB Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiaries and SLMB Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiaries Plus)

Clarifies that policy will notify staff if SLMB Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiaries Plus reaches its annual spending limit before the end of the calendar year.

Addendum 1

Updates the Long Term Care income limit to 300% of the prevailing SSI Supplemental Security Income standard as of September 1, 2010.

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