Department of Social Services
Family Support Division
PO Box 2320
Jefferson City, Missouri
TO: ALL FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICES
FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: UPDATE TO SUSPENSION FOR INCARCERATED PARTICIPANTS FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) PROGRAMS AND FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) PROGRAMS
MANUAL REVISION #
DISCUSSION:
MO HealthNet (MHN) benefits must be suspended for any participant who becomes incarcerated. Suspension for Incarcerated Participants policy was added to the MHABD and MAGI manuals in February 2020.
Family Support Division (FSD) has received clarification regarding annual renewals, interim changes, inpatient events, and redeterminations prior to release. MHABD manual section 0840.020.00 Suspending Incarcerated Participants and MAGI manual section 1885.040.00 Suspension of MAGI Benefits for Incarcerated Individuals have been updated with these clarifications.
Annual renewals must be completed each year, but may be completed with known information if new information is not received on a review form or available through agency sources (such as IIVE, IMES, or other electronic sources) or information provided by other eligibility members. Annual renewals and interim changes in an eligibility unit CANNOT cause a suspended MO HealthNet participant to lose benefits. Specialized units will take action to keep the benefits from ending prior to redetermination at release.
A new disability determination is not required for all suspended participants prior to restoring benefits. If the participants were eligible based on disability prior to incarceration, FSD may be able to use that disability determination. Medical Review Team (MRT) disability determinations are to be considered valid while a participant is suspended through the end of the determination approval period (as shown on MRT Information/FMJR screen). If the participant’s MRT determination has not expired, then it is still valid and a new MRT determination is NOT required.
If an incarcerated participant was receiving Social Security Disability income or SSI prior to incarceration, the income can be expected to be restored by Social Security Administration upon release if the participant was incarcerated for less than 12 months. Disability does not have to be established by FSD. An MRT determination is NOT required to restore benefits, but should be explored if Social Security or SSI income has not resumed by the next annual review.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
- Specialized units must send a Request for Interpretation of Policy (IM-14) if further clarification is needed, such as if a participant’s case is closing.
KE/cj/ams