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renewals, with the Department of Human Services (DHS) as its designated agent pursuant to the terms of an interagency agreement. In addition, prior to ending Medicaid health coverage, the EOHHS must ensure that a review is conducted to determine whether eligibility exists through any other eligibility pathway. Other responsibilities are set forth in greater detail, as indicated, in other sections of this Rule. 1.6.3 Medically Needy (MN) Eligibility Pathway A. Medically needy eligibility is available to certain IHCC group members who do not need LTSS. Different rules apply for LTSS MN eligibility as indicated in Part 50-00-2 of this Title. Under the Rhode Island Medicaid State Plan, MN coverage is an option for elders and adults with disabilities, parents/caretakers, children and pregnant people. Adults age nineteen (19) to sixty-four (64) in the MACC group do not qualify for MN coverage, and must therefore reapply through the Community Medicaid MN pathway. There is also a MN pathway for Refugee Medicaid Assistance as indicated in § 1.8.3 of this Part. See Part 2 of this Subchapter for provisions related to the Community Medicaid MN pathway. 1.6.4 SSI and SSP Recipients and SSI Protected Status A. Federal law requires the States to provide Medicaid health coverage to SSI and SSP recipients. There are certain circumstances in which SSI recipients who lose or otherwise no longer qualify for full cash assistance benefits are afforded “protected status” which allows them to retain their Medicaid eligibility. In such instances, the person is treated as if they are an SSI recipient for Medicaid eligibility purposes. The Medicaid SSI, SSP and protected status coverage groups are described below: 1. SSI Recipients – There is no distinct State-based eligibility pathway for SSI recipients. Medicaid eligibility is automatic upon approval of SSI. The SSA determines eligibility for SSI and notifies the State of the SSI recipient’s eligibility through an electronic data exchange. The State is responsible for enrollment and the provision of Medicaid health coverage until SSI eligibility ceases unless protected status is available. The EOHHS is responsible for determining whether EAD coverage is available through an alternative Medicaid eligibility pathway for SSI recipients without protected status who have or are about to lose SSI. 2. State Supplement Payment (SSP) Recipients – Persons who are eligible to receive the optional State-funded supplemental payment are automatically eligible for Medicaid health coverage under the Medicaid State Plan. a. Eligibility criteria. To qualify, a person must be an SSI recipient, a former SSI recipient with Medicaid protected status, or a person who meets the criteria for EAD or LTSS and resides in one (1) of