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(MRG) UPDATED: JANUARY 2011 47 CATEGORICAL FACTORS MEDICAID BUY-IN PROGRAM FOR WORKING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES NOTE:  Grace periods may be authorized if the individual’s income does not meet the hourly work and/or wage requirement. This may be due to a job loss or change in medical condition. Written verification for either grace period is required.  If, at the end of a change in medical condition grace period, the individual continues to work less than 40 hours a month, a Continuing Disability Review (CDR) must be performed to determine eligibility for the Basic Coverage Group.  If an individual is not working at the end of a job loss grace period, Medicaid eligibility must be determined in a non-SSI- related category, as the individual is medically improved, and not disabled. If the individual needs a disability determination, a CDR must be performed for the Aid to the Disabled program. 3. Other Medical Improvement Group Work Issues  Local districts must review the individual’s work activity and wage rate every 6 months.  If the individual’s income does not meet the hourly work and/or wage requirement or has increased or decreased at the time of the 6 month work and wage review, the local district must re- determine eligibility for the MBI-WPD program and/or determine eligibility for other Medicaid programs and take appropriate action. If the individual’s work hours fall below the required 40 hours or the minimum wage requirement, the individual may be eligible for a grace period.  To determine the hourly wage for a self-employed individual in the Medical Improvement Group, gross monthly income is divided by the number of hours worked as attested by the recipient. The result is rounded to the nearest penny and compared to the federal minimum wage. NOTE: The six-month work and wage check does not eliminate the recipient’s responsibility to report any change income within 10 days of the change.