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Chapter: 2000 Coverage Groups Program: CIC 27 2050.0503 Title IV-E Foster Care Medicaid (CIC) Title IV-E foster care children are automatically eligible for Medicaid and no independent Medicaid determination is made. Generally, when an application for a child is submitted for Title IV-E foster care payments (board rate), the child will have been receiving Medicaid benefits as an emergency shelter, Title IV-A or Non Title-E child. Medicaid benefits must then be determined through Title IV-E foster care at the notification by Family Safety staff that the child’s Title IV-A eligibility is ending and an application for Title IV-E funding is received.

The first month of Title IV-E Medicaid authorization and the initial month of Title IV-E foster care payment (board rate) will not always coincide.

When a Title IV-E foster care child is placed in another state, the receiving state (state where child was placed) is responsible for providing Medicaid and the sending state retains responsibility for the Title IV-E determination. Title IV-E children who are placed by Florida in another state receive Medicaid coverage in the state in which they reside. Title IV-E children placed in Florida by another state are automatically eligible for Florida Medicaid. 2050.0504 Medicaid for Foster Care Youth in Independent Living Situations (CIC) This program is designed for foster children age 16 or older who have demonstrated an ability to handle independence based on certain criteria such as:

1. responsible behavior during placement; 2. maintenance of a dependable employment record; 3. establishment of a savings program; and 4. maintenance of regular attendance at a school or in a training program.

Each youth in the program receives an independent living subsidy. This independent living grant is made out directly to the youth, and is not subject to maintenance fee collection since the payments are an integral part of the case plan of eventual independence. Funds for the grant are drawn directly from the state foster care budget. This grant provides for the same basic coverage (food, shelter, transportation, etc.) as foster care maintenance payments.

Youth may be eligible for non-Title IV-E Medicaid if technical and financial factors of eligibility are met.

Note: The subsidy payment is considered the board rate and the income is exempt. 2050.0505 Title IV-E Adoption Subsidy (CIC) Title IV-E adoption subsidy cash assistance is provided to children who meet the technical and financial criteria and are determined to be a special needs child by CW/CBC staff and annotated on the CF-ES 2626A at the time of application or on the CF ES 2694 when the child moves from foster care to adoption. Title IV-E related Medicaid is authorized for children who are eligible for Title IV-E cash benefits. 2050.0506 Non-Title IV-E Foster Care Medicaid (CIC) Medicaid may be provided under this coverage group for children in foster care who do not meet Title IV-E requirements. Medicaid coverage is available to children who meet the technical and financial requirements.

An infant of a minor mother receiving non-Title IV-E foster care payments, which do not include the infant's needs, may be eligible for TCA for the infant. Only the needs, income and assets of the infant are considered in this determination.