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Aged, Blind and Disabled Manual Section: Categories of Eligibility; Policy Manual Number: 115.035; Chapter: Katie Beckett

Legal Authority: Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) of 1982; Family Opportunity Act of 2005; 42 CFR 435.225; Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-5-164; TennCare III Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration

1. Policy Statement The Katie Beckett program provides medical assistance to children under age 18 with disabilities or complex medical needs who live at home and do not otherwise qualify for Medicaid due to their parents’ income or resources. Parent to child deeming is waived so that parents’ income and resources are not counted in determining the child’s eligibility. Katie Beckett Part A and B enrollment is subject to the availability of state appropriations.

2. Katie Beckett Groups a. Katie Beckett Part A (Institutional Level of Care Group) Children are potentially eligible for Katie Beckett Part A if they qualify for care in a medical institution and would qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) but for their parents’ income or resources. Children enrolled in Katie Beckett Part A receive full TennCare Medicaid benefits and up to $15,000 of specified Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) wraparound services.

b. Katie Beckett Part B (Diversion Group) Katie Beckett Part B is for children with disabilities or complex medical needs who qualify for care in a medical institution or are at risk of institutionalization. Children enrolled in Katie Beckett Part B receive up to $10,000 of services, including specified HCBS through the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA), but do not receive full TennCare Medicaid benefits.

c. Katie Beckett Continued Eligibility Group The Katie Beckett Continued Eligibility Group is for children who are enrolled in TennCare Medicaid, are losing eligibility, and would qualify to enroll in Katie Beckett Part A, but for whom there is no Katie Beckett Part A slot available. Children enrolled in the Katie Beckett Continued Eligibility Group receive full TennCare Medicaid benefits.