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Manual Title Chapter Page Revision Date Virginia Medical Assistance Eligibility M02 July 2024 Subchapter Subject Page ending with Page M0220.000 CITIZENSHIP & ALIEN REQUIREMENTS M0220.202 5

C. Letters that Verify Status The USCIS and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) issue letters that are used in lieu of or in conjunction with USCIS forms to identify alien status. If the letter is the only document provided, it is necessary to verify the status of the alien. For USCIS letters, contact the USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 for assistance in identifying the alien's status. For ORR letters, contact the toll-free ORR Trafficking Verification Line at 866-401-5510 (see Appendix 2 of this subchapter). Do not verify ORR letters via the SAVE system. D. Local USCIS Office Documents Some USCIS offices have developed their own stamps. Therefore, it is possible that a locally produced stamp or legend will be on an USCIS form. If there is any question as to the veracity or status of the document, contact USCIS. E. Expired or Absent Documentation If an applicant presents an expired USCIS document or is unable to present any document showing his immigration status, refer the individual to the USCIS district office to obtain evidence of status unless he provides an alien registration number. Allow the individual a 90-calendar-day reasonable opportunity period to provide the documentation. If the individual meets all other Medicaid eligibility requirements, do not delay, deny, reduce or terminate the individual’s eligibility for Medicaid on the basis of immigration status. If the individual does not respond to the request and does not provide the information necessary to meet the C&I documentation requirements by the 90th day, coverage may be canceled. Send an advance notice, and cancel coverage at the end of the month in which the 90th day occurs. If the individual provides part of the information or is in the process of getting the information, a new reasonable opportunity period should be provided. If the applicant provides an alien registration number with supporting verification of his identity, use the SAVE procedures in M0220.202 below to verify immigration status. If an applicant presents an expired I-551 or I-151, follow procedures for initiating a primary verification. If the alien presents any expired document other than an expired I-551 or I-151, follow procedures for initiating a secondary verification. If the alien does not provide verification of his identity, his immigration status cannot be determined, and he must be considered an unqualified alien. M0220.202 SYSTEMATIC ALIEN VERIFICATION FOR ENTITLEMENTS (SAVE)

A. SAVE Aliens must submit documentation of immigration status before eligibility for the full package of Medicaid benefits can be determined. SAVE interfaces with the Federal Hub for applications processed in VaCMS. The following procedures are applicable when immigration status cannot fully be verified by the Hub. If the documentation provided appears valid and meets requirements, eligibility is determined based on the documentation provided AND a comparison of the documentation provided with immigration records maintained by the USCIS. The comparison is made by using the SAVE system established by Section 121 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA). 1. Primary Verification Primary verification is the automated method of accessing the USCIS data bank. SAVE regulations require that automated access be attempted prior to initiating secondary verification. There are some specific instances, however, when the agency will forego the primary verification method and initiate secondary verification (see Secondary Verification).