Page 13

Title 8: Medicaid Page 11 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter B: Application Processing Interviews Revised October 17, 2025

Interviews Legal reference: 42 CFR 435.905 through 914; 441 IAC 76 (Rules in Process) and 76.5 An interview shall not be required when determining Medicaid eligibility for MAGI households. Applicants or members who are being evaluated for non-MAGI-related Medicaid may be required to attend a face-to-face or telephone interview to:  Clarify information on the application,  Clarify questionable information, or  Ensure there is a better understanding of programs. It is important to treat applicants and members equitably and to use the “prudent person concept.” See 8-A, Definitions for “prudent person concept.” An interview shall not be required for children as defined by the Medicaid program. Grant an interview if the applicant, member, or authorized representative requests one. Procedure: To require a face-to-face interview or a phone interview, you must request a scheduled time with the applicant or member. When an interview is needed or is requested by an applicant, a member, or an authorized representative, schedule a date, time, place, and method of the interview (in the local office, home visit, or by phone, etc.). Grant requests to reschedule when you determine that the applicant, member, or authorized representative is making every effort to cooperate with the interview process. Interviews rescheduled at the request of the applicant, member, or authorized representative may be agreed upon verbally and documented without written confirmation. Failure to attend the interview you requested, including a scheduled phone interview, is cause to deny or cancel the adults on the application. Contact the applicant or member whenever you need to clarify information in order to determine eligibility. When you ask a client to come in to the local office for an interview, do not deny or cancel the children if the adult fails to attend the interview. However, if you request information at the same time as you set up an interview and the information is not provided within ten days, you may cancel or deny the entire household for failure to provide requested information.