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13.3 Suspension Start Date The suspension period will have a start date at the beginning of a benefit month due to notice requirements, but the restriction on covered services will begin the date the person becomes incarcerated. This means that the restriction on covered services may be effective for a date prior to the suspension start date displayed in the system. See SECTION 13.2 COVERED SERVICES. 13.3.1 Applicants If the applicant is already incarcerated and has been since at least the beginning of the application month, their suspension will start the first of the month of application. Example 1 Mark is incarcerated on January 17. He applies for health care on April 20, and is found eligible for suspended SSI-related Medicaid. Mark’s suspension start date is April 1. If the applicant was incarcerated after the first of the application month, the suspension will start the first of the month following the application month. Example 2 Jane is incarcerated on April 15. She applies for health care on April 20, and is found eligible. She is certified for full-benefit SSI-related Medicaid from April 1, until April 30. Jane’s suspended SSI-related Medicaid starts on May 1. However, the restriction on covered services will be effective April 15 (the date Jane became incarcerated). 13.3.2 Backdated Eligibility If an applicant is determined eligible for a Medicaid backdate and was incarcerated during any of the backdated months, they will be enrolled in a suspended status for any backdated months in which they were incarcerated for the entire month. For any backdated months in which the person was not incarcerated for the entire month, they will open for full-benefit Medicaid. 13.3.3 Existing Members Existing health care members who become incarcerated and are determined eligible for the health care suspension will be certified for the suspension from the first of the month after the incarceration is reported. This policy applies even when the incarceration is reported untimely. See SECTION 12.1 CHANGE REPORTING INTRODUCTION. Example 3 Olivia is open for full-benefit SSI-related Medicaid. On December 23, Olivia reports she is incarcerated as of December 20. Olivia’s SSI-related Medicaid is suspended starting January 1. However, the restriction on covered services will be effective December 20 (the date Olivia became incarcerated). 13.3.4 Deductibles Suspended members who met a deductible before being incarcerated will maintain their existing certification period and renewal date, which is the end of the six-month deductible period. Example 4 Jordan has a Medicaid deductible period from April 1, until September 30. He meets his deductible on May 10, and becomes eligible for full-benefit Medicaid. He is incarcerated on June 19. His suspension starts July 1, and his certification period goes to September 30. However, the restriction on covered services will be effective June 19 (the date Jordan became incarcerate). This page last updated in Release Number: 25-03 Release Date: 08/13/2025 Effective Date: 08/13/2025