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98 (07/2026) Chapter 2:Eligibility • Section 1: Application ERDC In the ERDC program, the effective date for starting benefits is one of the following: • The first day of the month in which the request for benefits is made, if all eligibility requirements are met in that month, and verification is provided within the application processing timeframes; or • If all eligibility requirements are not met in the month of request, the effective date is the first day of the month in which they are met, if verification is provided within the application processing timeframes (generally 45 days from the date of request). REF In the REF program, when a filing group makes an initial application, the effective date for starting benefits is one of the following: • If all eligibility requirements (including an interview) are completed by the 30th day from the filing date, the effective date for starting benefits is the filing date; or • If all eligibility requirements are not met by the 30th day from the filing date, a new filing date must be established. MSP For all Medicare Savings Programs, the effective date is always the first of a month. This includes when an individual is currently receiving SMB (Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary) or SMF (Qualified Individuals) and is determined eligible for QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary). QMB • The effective date for starting benefits the first of the month after the benefit group has been determined to meet all QMB eligibility criteria and ODHS|OHA receives the required verification. SMB and SMF • For individuals applying for benefits through ODHS|OHA, the effective date is the first day of the month in which the benefit group meets all eligibility criteria and ODHS|OHA receives the required verification. • For individuals who are determined eligible based on a Social Security Administration (SSA) Low- Income Subsidy (LIS) application, the effective date is the first day of the month the LIS information is received by SSA if the application was an electronic transmission from SSA and the benefit group meets all eligibility criteria. Retroactive medical benefits Retroactive MSP benefits are only available for SMB and SMF. QMB eligible individuals are not eligible for retroactive medical. However, if they are also eligible for OSIPM, they may be eligible for retroactive medical under that program. If eligible for OSIPM retroactively, the individual’s Part B premium will be paid with state general funds. Retroactive medical may be requested at any time by the individual, their authorized representative, or assumed from the applicant’s circumstances. A request for retroactive SMB or SMF benefits is assumed if the individual incurred or paid the cost of their Medicare Part B Premium during the retro period, whether they indicate they had a cost on the application or not. If a benefit group currently eligible for SMB or SMF requests and is eligible for retroactive payment of Part