Department of Social Services
Family Support Division
PO Box 2320
Jefferson City, Missouri
TO: ALL FAMILY SUPPORT OFFICES
FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION POLICY UPDATES FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED (MHABD) AND FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) PROGRAMS
MANUAL REVISION #
DISCUSSION:
Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, and Republic of the Marshall Islands have signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the United States which allows them to enter and leave the United States at will.
As of 12/27/2020, in accordance with section 208 of the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, these individuals are eligible to receive MO HealthNet benefits without applying for immigrant status with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS- formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service). These individuals are considered Qualified Noncitizens and are eligible for MHABD and MAGI as long as all other eligibility requirements have been met.
COFA policy only applies to Title XIX funded Medicaid programs which includes but is not limited to: MO HealthNet Non-Spend Down (MHNS), MO HealthNet Spend Down (MHSD), MO HealthNet for Families (MHF) and MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women (MPW). Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) are funded through Title XXI and therefore are excluded from COFA policy.
Note: Please refer to Appendix H ME Codes Chart for a list of programs and their Title or Funding Source.
MHABD Programs
The eligibility system has been updated as of 05/02/2021 to allow new status codes on the NONCITZN/FMML screen for individuals from the Federated States of Micronesia (MCR), Republic of Palau (PAL), and Republic of the Marshall Islands (MAR).
Note: Only application dates of 12/27/2020 or after are eligible and coverage will begin no earlier than 12/27/2020. If processing an application that should include eligibility from 12/27/2020-12/31/2020, send to MHN Program & Policy COLE.MHNPOLICY@dss.mo.gov for review.
MAGI Programs
Eligibility system updates have not been completed. Continue to use guidance issued in 2021 Email Memo #19 for COFA MAGI applicants.
For more information refer to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
KE/nw