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COMAR 10.09.24.04

309 State of Maryland Medical Assistance Manual Revised July 2012

competent or is physically unable to sign the form. If the application is accompanied by such an affidavit than an authorized representative can sign If a child is blind or disabled and because of age or incompetence is not abele or permitted to sing, the parent with whom the child lives must sign for the child The representative must sign for a blind or disabled child who does not lie with his/her parents and is unable to sign because of age or incompetence

400.5 Voluntary Withdrawal

A person who has filed an application may voluntarily withdraw that application. The application form however remains the property of LDSS/LHD. The withdrawal of an application does not alter a penalty period associated with the disposal of a resource.

Note: If customer applies again and includes the month of the prior w/d, the original application is reactivated and sets the period under consideration (eliminates applying for retro).6 months to consider income and verifications. Customer will be eligible for a year.

When an applicant formally withdraws an application, they cannot subsequently be forced to apply for Medical Assistance for a prior month for which they do not want coverage. Therefore, any applicant who formally withdraws an application and subsequently applies for a later period only should have their period under consideration set by the latter, not withdrawn application. If a subsequent application includes the month of the prior withdrawn application, the original application is reactivated and sets the period under consideration.

400.6 Eligibility Determination Process

Once an application has been filed with the LDSS/LHD and the date of an application has been established, the process of determining eligibility, with its time limitations, begins.

The LDSS/LHD CM must make a prompt decision on each application that is filed. The decision must be made no later than 30 days from the date of the application or, if the case involves a determination of disability, no later than 60 days from the date of application. Refer to section entitled: Extension of Time Standards” for exceptions to this rule. The 30 and 60-day time limits refer to the date the notice of decision is actually mailed to the applicant.

A decision of eligibility or ineligibility is based on MA policy and procedures. Persons who apply as ABD are SSI-related and the eligibility requirements are basically those of the SSI program. People who apply as FAC are TCA related and the eligibility requirements are basically those of the TCA program a single assistance unit may not be a combination of the two.

The eligibility determination process involves a number of steps and procedures:

Interviewing the A/R by phone or ( in person) Obtaining appropriate signatures on application Establishing the period under consideration; and Obtaining necessary documentation and verification