Rule 5160:1-2-01 | Medicaid: administrative agency responsibilities.

(ii) An individual fifty-five years of age or older who is not permanently institutionalized.

(3) Fulfill a request for an application within one business day.

(a) Fulfillment occurs when the administrative agency sends an electronic copy of the application or a link to an electronic copy of the application to the text or email address provided by the individual; hands the application to the individual; or places the application in the U.S. mail. When the application is provided in person or via U.S. mail, the administrative agency shall enclose a preaddressed, postage-paid envelope for return of the application.

(b) The application shall be accompanied by:

(i) The JFS 07217 "Voter Registration Notice of Rights and Declination" (rev. 5/2022) or a notice meeting the requirements of section 3503.10 of the Revised Code, and a voter registration form as required by section 329.051 of the Revised Code;

(ii) The ODM 07400 "Ohio Medicaid Estate Recovery" (rev. 5/2023); and

(iii) The JFS 07501 "Program Enrollment and Benefit Information" (rev. 4/2022).

(E) Upon receipt of a request for assistance or receipt of an application, the administrative agency shall:

(1) Make program information available and accessible to an individual upon request, consistent with 42 C.F.R. 435.905 (as in effect October 1, 2022):

(a) Provide language services at no cost to an individual with limited English proficiency, including oral interpretation and written translations; and

(b) Provide auxiliary aids and services at no cost to an individual living with a disability in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) (Pub. L. No. 101-336) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Pub. L. No. 93-112).

(2) Distribute voter information and registration materials as required by 42 C.F.R. 431.307 (as in effect October 1, 2022).

(3) Coordinate with the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC) as required by 42 C.F.R. 431.635 (as in effect October 1, 2022) to ensure written notice of the availability of the WIC program is provided to an individual determined eligible for medical assistance, including an individual who is presumptively eligible and is also a potential WIC recipient.

(a) The administrative agency shall advise a potential WIC recipient of the WIC program and refer the individual to the WIC agency by forwarding a copy of the individual's medical assistance application and any supplemental application, unless the individual is already receiving WIC assistance.

(b) For an individual already in receipt of medical assistance who is a potential WIC recipient, the administrative agency shall advise the individual of the WIC program at least annually.

(c) The following individuals are potential WIC recipients:

(i) A woman who is:

(a) Pregnant;

(b) Within a six-month period after giving birth; or

(c) Breastfeeding her infant within twelve months after the infant's birth.

(ii) A child younger than five years old.

(F) Assistance.

(1) The administrative agency shall allow a person or persons of the individual's choice to accompany, assist with, and represent the individual in the application, redetermination, or annual renewal process.

(a) A person may accompany and assist an individual without being an individual's authorized representative.

(b) The administrative agency shall not reveal confidential information, as described in rule 5160-1-32 of the Administrative Code, or send notices or correspondence to the person assisting the individual, unless the person has been designated in writing as an authorized representative.

(c) A person who is assisting an individual shall provide accurate information, to the best of his or her knowledge, regardless of whether the person is an authorized representative.

(2) When an individual has designated in writing an authorized representative, the administrative agency shall:

(a) Issue all notices and correspondence to both the authorized representative and the individual.

(b) Contact the individual to clarify or verify information provided by an authorized representative when the information provided on the application seems contradictory, unclear, or unrealistic.

(c) Remove the authorized representative from any correspondence or access to safeguarded information upon receipt of notice that:

(i) The authorized representative is declining or ending representation of the individual; or

(ii) The individual has withdrawn the authorized representative's authority.

(3) The administrative agency shall help complete the application when assistance is needed, including assistance through agents of the administrative agency, such as eligibility workers.

(a) At the individual's request, an eligibility worker shall assist with completing the application by asking the individual for answers needed to complete the application, then recording the individual's answers on the application form or in the electronic eligibility system. The eligibility worker shall not alter any answers given by the individual.

(b) When an eligibility worker assists with or helps complete an application, the worker shall sign the application form and include the worker's title as a person who assisted with completing the application.

(c) The process of inputting data into the electronic eligibility system or determining an individual's eligibility shall not be construed as providing assistance.

(4) Upon request, the administrative agency shall provide assistance to individuals having difficulty gathering verifications.

(5) When determining eligibility for an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits the individual's ability to access verifications, and who has not granted any person durable power of attorney, or who does not have a court-appointed guardian or a person with other legal authority and obligation to act on behalf of the individual, the administrative agency shall:

(a) Explore whether another person is available to assist the individual with obtaining verifications or accessing the individual's means of self-support. For an individual who resides in a nursing facility (NF), explore whether the person who signed the NF admission contract is able to assist the individual.

(i) When a person is available to assist the individual, request the person assist with obtaining the verifications or accessing the individual's means of self-support.

(ii) When verifications are provided, or when means of self-support are able to be accessed by the individual or on the individual's behalf by another person, the administrative agency shall consider the verified criteria or means of self-support in the eligibility determination process.

(b) When no person with the ability to access the individual's means of self-support is available to assist the individual:

(i) Refer the individual's case to the administrative agency's legal counsel and request counsel evaluate whether the matter should be referred to the probate court, adult protective services, or another entity deemed by the administrative agency's legal counsel to be appropriate. For cases referred to counsel for such evaluation, the administrative agency shall also:

(a) Note in the individual's case record that verifications or means of self-support are not available and shall not be considered a disqualifying factor until a means of access to those items is obtained or established; and

(b) Inform the administrative agency's legal counsel of any eligibility approval or denial.

(ii) Determine eligibility in accordance with Chapter 5160:1-2 of the Administrative Code, but without considering eligibility factors for which verification cannot be obtained or means of self-support cannot be accessed because of the individual's physical or mental impairment. Use the most reliable information available without delaying the determination of eligibility.

(iii) Redetermine eligibility once a means of access to verifications or means of self-support is obtained or established. When such access has not been obtained prior to the individual's annual renewal, determine continuing eligibility using the most reliable information available.

(G) Receipt of application. Upon receipt of a signed application for medical assistance or for specific medical assistance services or programs, the administrative agency shall:

(1) Give or send a receipt to the individual showing the date of application.

(2) Accept and register the application within one business day of the time the signed application is received. Only an application signed under penalty of perjury in accordance with 42 C.F.R. 435.907 (as in effect October 1, 2022) is considered valid.

(a) Acceptable signatures for an application include:

(i) An original handwritten signature; and

(ii) An "electronic signature" or "e-signature," that includes electronic sounds, symbols, or processes attached to or logically associated with records and executed or adopted by individuals with the intent to sign a record. An electronic signature satisfies legal requirements in accordance with section 1306.06 of the Revised Code and includes:

(a) An audio or "telephonically recorded" signature obtained in accordance with procedures approved by the Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS) that is retrievable and complies with federal record retention requirements in accordance with 7 C.F.R. 272.1(f) (as in effect October 1, 2022); and

(b) A signature submitted electronically as part of the online medical assistance application process; and

(c) A handwritten signature transmitted via any other electronic transmission, such as through email or facsimile; and

(d) A rubber stamp that replaces a signature for an individual who has an inability to sign in accordance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Pub. L. No. 93-112); and

(e) When the signatory cannot sign with a name, an "X" is a valid signature; and

(f) An electronically signed application received from the federally facilitated marketplace (FFM); and

(g) An electronically signed application received from the social security administration (SSA) for the low-income subsidy (LIS) program.

(b) An individual who applies for health coverage through the FFM will be assessed for medicaid eligibility with the signature provided to the FFM.

(3) When an application is received from a local WIC clinic, maternal, child and family health (MCFH) clinic, or the children with medical handicaps program (CMH) office within five business days of the signature date, the application shall be registered using the signature date. When the application is not received within five business days of the signature date, the application shall be registered using the date the application was received by the administrative agency.

(4) When an application taken by an outstationed worker assigned to a federally qualified health center (FQHC) or a disproportionate share hospital (DSH) is not directly entered into the electronic eligibility system, the application shall immediately be submitted to the appropriate administrative agency, which shall register the application using the signature date.

(5) The administrative agency shall not delay the registration or processing of an application due to the lack of a signed acknowledgment of an individual's rights and responsibilities.

(6) As required by section 329.051 of the Revised Code, the administrative agency shall:

(a) Give or send a notice meeting the requirements of section 3503.10 of the Revised Code or the JFS 07217 "Voter Registration Notice of Rights and Declination" (rev. 5/2022); and

(b) Give or send the "Voter Registration Information and Update Form" (undated) as prescribed by the secretary of state.

(H) Verifications. Where manual verifications are required under rule 5160:1-2-10 of the Administrative Code, the administrative agency shall:

(1) Follow the safeguarding guidelines set forth in rule 5160-1-32 of the Administrative Code when providing or gathering information by telephone, in person, or in electronic or written form.

(2) Not require that an individual provide verification of unchanged information unless the information is incomplete, inaccurate, inconsistent, outdated, or missing from the case record due to record retention limitations.

(3) Not request that an individual provide duplicate copies of previously submitted verifications.

(4) To the extent possible, verify relevant eligibility criteria using electronic records available through the electronic eligibility system and other electronic data sources. Where electronic verification is not available, or electronic verification data conflicts with the individual's attestation, request verifications as set out in rule 5160:1-2-10 of the Administrative Code.

(5) When the administrative agency is unable to verify eligibility criteria through electronic sources, the administrative agency shall contact the individual to collect information needed to process the application, redetermination, or annual renewal. When the individual declares the verifications cannot be accessed or submitted, the individual's statement shall be accepted. When the administrative agency is unable to make contact with the individual, a written (electronic or on paper) request for the necessary information or verification documents shall be sent.

(a) The written request shall:

(i) Include the date by which the information must be provided to the administrative agency; and

(ii) Inform the individual that any delay in providing requested information or documents will delay the determination of an individual's eligibility; and

(iii) Provide information regarding how an individual can request assistance from the administrative agency with gathering the requested documents.

(b) When the information or verification required to establish the individual's eligibility for assistance is not received by the administrative agency by the stated date, the administrative agency shall contact the individual in writing no more than twenty calendar days following the date of the application, redetermination, or annual renewal.

(i) The follow-up request for information or verification documents:

(a) Shall be sent electronically, via postal mail, or personally delivered to the individual. When sent via postal mail or personally delivered, the administrative agency shall enclose a preaddressed, postage-paid envelope for return of the verification(s);

(b) Shall state that the required information or verification has not been received and that when the information or verification is not received within ten calendar days the administrative agency shall deny or discontinue the application, redetermination, or annual renewal for medical assistance;

(c) Shall include a clear statement that the administrative agency will assist with obtaining the required information or verification when the request for assistance is received on or prior to the given deadline; and

(d) Does not serve as a notice of denial of the application or discontinuance of benefits.

(ii) When the requested information or verification is not received by the stated deadline, the administrative agency shall propose a denial or discontinuance of benefits.

(c) The administrative agency shall deny the individual's application when the individual fails to provide the necessary information or verifications, or request assistance and cooperate with obtaining verifications, within the time specified in the second verification request. When this happens:

(i) An individual may reapply at any time.

(ii) An individual shall not be asked to re-verify information previously verified by the administrative agency without reason to believe the information may have changed.

(6) Give or send a dated itemized receipt that lists each verification document received from an individual.

(7) Record receipt of all verification documents, photocopy or scan the documents, and retain copies or images of the documents in the case record.

(8) When information is verified through a telephone contact, record the following details:

(a) The name and telephone number of the person providing the information;

(b) The name of the agency or business contacted, when applicable;

(c) The date of the contact; and

(d) An accurate summary of the information provided.

(I) Determination, redetermination, and renewal of eligibility. The administrative agency shall:

(1) Not schedule an interview except at the request of the individual.

(2) Inform all individuals at the time of application and renewal that the agency will obtain and use information available from the income and eligibility verification system (IEVS) to assist with the determination of eligibility, as required by section 1137 of the Social Security Act (as in effect October 1, 2022).

(3) Require a signature for all renewals of medical assistance where eligibility was not passively renewed using the electronic eligibility system.

(4) Using the electronic eligibility system, the administrative agency shall:

(a) Determine eligibility or renewal of an individual's eligibility for medical assistance within the application processing time limits set forth in this rule.

(i) The administrative agency shall not approve medical assistance to an individual merely because of an agency error or delay in determining eligibility. All eligibility factors shall be met.

(ii) The administrative agency shall not delay the approval of medical assistance due to the lack of information or verifications necessary to determine eligibility for other public assistance programs.

(b) Document and record determinations of eligibility. The administrative agency shall:

(i) Record, in physical or electronic case records, any information, action, decision, or delay in the application, eligibility determination, or discontinuance processes, as well as the reasons for any action, decision, or delay.

(ii) Make the case records, physical or electronic, available for compliance audits.

(c) Approve medical assistance for an individual who:

(i) Has signed an application under penalty of perjury; and

(ii) Has provided all necessary verifications as set forth in rule 5160:1-2-10 of the Administrative Code; and

(iii) Meets all conditions of eligibility for a medical assistance category set forth in Chapter 5160:1-2, 5160:1-3, 5160:1-4, 5160:1-5, or 5160:1-6 of the Administrative Code. When an individual who attests to U.S. citizenship or qualified non-citizen status meets all conditions of eligibility for a medical assistance category except for verification of the individual's citizenship or qualified non-citizen status, the administrative agency shall approve time-limited coverage during a reasonable opportunity period (ROP) as required in rule 5160:1-2-11 or 5160:1-2-12 of the Administrative Code.

(d) Deny an application for medical assistance for an individual who:

(i) Has not signed an application under penalty of perjury;

(ii) Withdraws the application;

(iii) Fails to cooperate with the application or determination process or fails to provide all necessary verifications set forth in rule 5160:1-2-10 of the Administrative Code; or

(iv) Does not meet all conditions of eligibility for any medical assistance category set forth in Chapter 5160:1-2, 5160:1-3, 5160:1-4, 5160:1-5, or 5160:1-6 of the Administrative Code.

(e) Suspend medical assistance upon notification that an individual meets any of the criteria for ineligibility for payment of services set forth in rule 5160:1-1-03 of the Administrative Code.

(f) Discontinue medical assistance for an individual who:

(i) Requests that assistance be discontinued;

(ii) Is no longer an Ohio resident;

(iii) Is deceased;

(iv) Fails to cooperate with the renewal process;

(v) Fails to cooperate with the quality control process;