1810.010.00 Legal Basis – DSS Manuals

IM-155 December 1, 2017

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (PRWORA) of 1996 established a new Medicaid eligibility group for low-income families with children under Section 1931 of the Social Security Act. In Missouri, this program is Medical Assistance for Families (MAF). Eligibility for this group is based on July 16, 1996 Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) requirements. In June 1999, Missouri began referring to the Medicaid program for all family eligibility groups as MC+.

Effective January 1, 2002 the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Missouri’s use of less restrictive income methodologies than those in effect July 16, 1996. These changes raised the need standard and the net income limit to 100% of the federal poverty level.

Effective July 1, 2002 Missouri House Bill 1111 (2002) lowered the need standard and the net income limit to 77% of the federal poverty level.

Effective July 1, 2004 Missouri House Bill 1011 (2004) lowered the need standard and the net income limit to 75% of the federal poverty level.

Effective July 1, 2005 Missouri House Bill 11 (2005) lowered the need standard and the net income limit to the July 16, 1996 AFDC income standards.

Effective August 28, 2007 Senate Bill 577 (2007) changed the name of Missouri Medicaid to MO HealthNet.

Effective January 1, 2014, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA or more commonly called the ACA) of 2010 requires Family MO HealthNet programs to use Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) methodology.