Page 3
2
Program information must be provided electronically, in print, and orally to all applicants and other authorized individuals who request it, such as parents of dependent children, authorized representatives, certain power-of-attorneys, and legal guardians. Information that must be provided includes:3
• Eligibility requirements • Available Medicaid services • The rights and responsibilities of applicants and beneficiaries. Such information must be provided to applicants and beneficiaries in plain language and in a manner that is accessible and timely to: • Individuals who are limited English proficient through the provision of language services at no cost to the individual (the language line is 877-261-6608; and • Individuals living with disabilities through the provision of auxiliary aids and services at no cost to the individual in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Individuals may also receive help with the health coverage application through a Certified Indiana Navigator including Enrollment Center staff.4, 5 The individual requesting assistance should be encouraged to file an application the same day the DFR is contacted. The individual is to be informed that prompt filing is important as the date of entitlement is affected by the date the signed application is received by the DFR or the Federal Marketplace. An individual has the right to apply and the right to have the determination of eligibility made without discrimination because of race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, or political belief. An application must be provided without question or delay to any individual requesting assistance without regard to apparent ineligibility.6 1810.00.00 REQUEST FOR AN INDEPENDENT RESOURCE ASSESSMENT (MED 1) An aged, blind, or disabled individual who becomes institutionalized on or after September 30, 1989, and whose spouse is living in the community, is entitled to a resource assessment without filing a Medicaid application. The request for an independent assessment can be made by either spouse or his representative. An Independent Resource Assessment should be requested when a spouse enters a long-term care facility and anticipates that he may have to apply for Medicaid at a later date. The assessment establishes the total value of the couple's nonexempt resources on the exact date of admission to the facility so that the "spousal share" can be calculated. The spousal share, or one-