Youth applying on their own

An individual who left foster care in the past, but is not currently open on Medicaid, may apply for Medicaid on his own using any of the approved application methods described in section 703-1 . The individual must sign the review form or an application to complete Assignment of Rights requirements, the TPL requirements, and to acknowledge that the individual has received the information about Medicaid requirements.

DWS should open Foster Care Independent Living first, if eligibility for another MAGI group would be delayed pending a verification.

If the youth, who meets the criteria in section A., states having income over the income standard for other possible Medicaid groups, accept that statement and determine eligibility for Foster Care Independent Living Medicaid. If no statement or insufficient evidence is available, approve Foster Care Independent Living Medicaid. Then, request verification. Do not deny or close for lack of such verification.

Effective Date and Retroactive Coverage

Eligibility under this group does not have to start in the month the child turns 18. If the individual was in foster care upon turning 18 and meets the above criteria, eligibility can begin any month after reaching 18. Some foster care youth will remain in regular foster care past their 18th birthday, and may become eligible for the Foster Care Independent Living program sometime later. The individual could still be in state custody and receive the Foster Care Independent Living program.

Members can receive retroactive eligibility based on the date of application, if the member meets the above criteria for the retroactive months.

Medical Support Enforcement

A parent with a minor child living with her who receives Medicaid is required to cooperate with Medical Support enforcement unless she can show good cause for not cooperating.

Former Foster Care Individual Medicaid

Persons eligible on the Foster Care Independent Living program can move to Former Foster Care Individuals Medicaid at review or when they turn 21. They must have been on Medicaid when they turned age 18 while in foster care. ( 354-3 )