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MISSISSIPPI DIVISION OF MEDICAID Eligibility Policy and Procedures Manual CHAPTER 100 – General Provisions P a g e | 3 Effective Month: March 2019 100.01 HISTORY AND LEGAL BASE Title XIX of the Social Security Act, enacted in 1965, provides authority for states to establish Medicaid programs to provide medical assistance to needy individuals. The program is jointly financed by federal and state governments and administered by states. Within broad federal rules, each state decides eligible groups, types and range of services, payment levels for services, and administrative and operating procedures. Payments for services are made directly by the state to the providers that furnish the services. Background Enabling legislation for the Medicaid program in Mississippi was enacted during a special session of the legislature in 1969. Funds were appropriated and the Mississippi Medicaid Commission was designated as the single state agency to administer the program. State statutes governing Medicaid may be found in Sections 43-l3-l0l et. seq. of the Mississippi Code of 1972. From 1969 to 1973, the determination of Medicaid eligibility was the responsibility of the State Department of Public Welfare (DPW). During this time period, DPW authorized money payments for the aged, blind and disabled and dependent children. SSI Program The passage of Public Law 92-603 amended Title XVI of the Social Security Act and established the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program for the aged, blind and disabled. State statutes were amended to specify that DPW would no longer determine eligibility for a monthly payment for the aged, blind and disabled. PL 92-603 allowed States an option to either grant Medicaid to all persons receiving SSI (known as Section 1634) or to grant Medicaid to persons who met more restrictive criteria set by States (known as 209b). The Mississippi Legislature voted to limit Medicaid eligibility to persons who met more restrictive criteria and to designate the DPW as the certifying agency for Medicaid. During the l980 session of the Mississippi Legislature, Senate Bill 2118 changed the Medicaid eligibility criteria to 1634 status whereby Medicaid would be granted to all