Author: Renee Wright

IM-22 COVID-19 VERIFICATION FOR FOOD STAMPS (FS), TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA), AND CHILD CARE (CC)

Posted on

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  COVID-19 VERIFICATION FOR FOOD STAMPS (FS), TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (TA), AND CHILD CARE (CC)

Originally posted March 27, 2020; revised April 1, 2020 to include the note highlighted below.

DISCUSSION:

During the COVID-19 health emergency, staff should be flexible while working with participants to obtain verification.  Participants may have limited resources during this time making it challenging to obtain requested verification.

It may be difficult for the participant and/or Family Support Division (FSD) staff to obtain verification from outside sources for a variety of COVID-19 related reasons including temporary or permanent business closures.  Staff should continue to request verification when required by policy.  If the participant is not able to obtain the requested verification, determine if their statement of income, job loss, reduced hours, etc. is reasonable.  Accept client statement if determined to be reasonable and make a comment in the eligibility system referencing COVID-19.

Note: Staff should enter Collateral Contact (CC) when client statement has been accepted to prevent the Food Stamp application from pending for verification.

Example 1:  Mr. B applied for FS and CC on 3/20/20.  During the FS interview he states that the family restaurant where he was employed has closed because COVID-19 has caused a lack of business.  He states he received his final pay check on 3/15/20 which is his only March pay check as he is paid on the 15th and last day of the month.  Staff request verification of the restaurant closing and his final pay stub.  Mr. B provides his final pay stub but states no one is answering the phone at his former employer.  It is reasonable that the business has closed and client statement of the closing is acceptable.  Staff must reference COVID-19 in all income comments.

Example 2:  Ms. J has an active TA and FS case.  She reports that her employer, the Star Casino, closed on 3/17/20 and she has been terminated.  It is common knowledge that casinos statewide were ordered to be closed at midnight on 3/17/20 and therefore is not necessary to request verification of job termination.  Accept client statement and reference COVID-19 in the comment.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/rw

IM-14 MANUAL REVISION FOR QUALIFIED INCOME TRUSTS FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD)

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FROM:   KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  MANUAL REVISION FOR QUALIFIED INCOME TRUSTS FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD)

MANUAL REVISION # 08
1025.015.04.01.02

 

DISCUSSION:

Qualified Income Trusts (QIT) allow participants to place a portion of their income in a trust to enable the participant to qualify for Home and Community Based (HCB) waiver services and MO HealthNet for Children with Developmental Disabilities (MOCDD).

1025.015.04.01.02 Qualified Income Trusts was updated to clarify language, provide examples, and provide guidance for staff on evaluating QIT accounts. The account must be reviewed during annual reviews, at a change in circumstance, or if improper use of QIT funds are discovered.

When the participant is no longer participating in a QIT program, the income and resources must be reviewed. The income that is deposited in the QIT account and is excluded for QIT programs cannot be excluded for any other program, including MHABD Non-Spend Down/Spend Down and Vendor. The QIT account is only an excluded resource while the participant is eligible for a QIT program and must be counted when he/she is no longer participating in a QIT program.

Previously Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) participants were allowed to establish a QIT, but it is no longer considered a QIT program. References to PACE were removed from the manual section.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/cj

IM-13 2020 MAGI COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) FOR VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AND RAILROAD INCOME

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FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:   2020 MAGI COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) FOR VETERANS ADMINISTRATION AND RAILROAD INCOME

DISCUSSION:

This memorandum informs staff that Railroad Retirement (RR) and Veterans Administration (VA) participants received a 1.6% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for MAGI programs effective January 2020.

Cases Adjusted

Cases that included income types RR and/or VA Benefits in the eligibility system were subject to an automatic increase of 1.6% for those income types.  The eligibility system end dated the previous income and added a new piece of income evidence that reflected the adjusted income amount.

Cases That Did Not Adjust

Some cases did not adjust during this COLA.  These cases will require manual intervention from staff to add the increased income amounts.  As cases are reviewed, check income on each case to determine if the current income is entered.  Update and verify income as required using established procedures.

Notices
For case updates made as a result of COLA, the eligibility system finalized the decision(s) and sent out the appropriate notices.  The reasons and notices that were sent are as follows:

  • Cases with no change were sent the IM-33C.
  • Cases that resulted in benefit reduction were sent an IM-80 allowing 10 days for the individual to respond to the proposed case action. The IM-33C was sent after the IM-80 expired.
  • Cases that resulted in individuals who no longer qualify were sent IM-80 PRE allowing 10 days for the individual to respond to the proposed case action. An IM-80PRE and IM-80 were sent, followed by the IM-33C.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/kg

IM-88 IM-1U 90 DAY LETTER UPDATE

Posted on

FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  IM-1U 90 DAY LETTER UPDATE                            

IM-1U’s Returned After 90 Days (PDF)

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to advise the IM-1U’s Returned After 90 Days Letter has been updated.

The following was changed:

  • Letterhead was removed;
  • The telephone number to contact for pending applications was removed;
  • A single telephone number is now listed for both pending and active cases

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

PL/al

IM-060 – IM-4 TWHA TICKET TO WORK HEALTH ASSURANCE PROGRAM BROCHURE

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FROM:   PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:  IM-4 TWHA TICKET TO WORK HEALTH ASSURANCE PROGRAM BROCHURE UPDATE              
FORMS MANUAL REVISION – # 1
IM-4 TWHA BROCHURE

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce a revised brochure for the Ticket to Work Health Assurance Program (TWHA). The IM-4 TWHA brochure will better assist staff in explaining TWHA to potential customers and help employed people with a disability understand what TWHA, MO HealthNet (Medicaid) coverage is when their earnings put them above the usual MO HealthNet (Medicaid) income limits.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • IM-4 TWHA Brochure

 

PL/stb

IM-059 – INTRODUCTION OF THE REQUEST TO WITHDRAW OR CLOSE FORM

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FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  INTRODUCTION OF THE REQUEST TO WITHDRAW OR CLOSE FORM

 FORM REVISION #16

REQUEST TO WITHDRAW OR CLOSE

INSTRUCTIONS TO WITHDRAW OR CLOSE

 

DISCUSSION:

This memorandum is to notify staff of the addition of the Request to Withdraw or Close Form and instructions to the IM Forms Manual.  This form should be used in the event that a participant requests to withdraw his/her application or close a case.  There are also fields to allow a participant to remove a person from an application or case.

Staff should review the form with the participant making the request and assist the participant in completing the form.  Indicate any specific instructions from the participant in the space provided or attach additional sheets, if necessary.

EXAMPLE:  Mrs. Jones would like to close her spend down coverage, but continue receiving SLMB.

Use this form for in-person contacts with participants only.  Do not mail the form to a participant.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

PL/ers

IM-058 – REVISED MO HEALTHNET REVIEW INFORMATION FORM (FA402)

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FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:  REVISED MO HEALTHNET REVIEW INFORMATION FORM (FA402)
FORM REVISION #15 – FA-402

 

DISCUSSION:

The FA402 generated by FAMIS and the paper version have been updated to include questions and declaration statements related to the changes made due to House Bill 2171, as described in IM-58 dated Sept. 28, 2018.

Questions added include:

  • Do any household members, who are receiving Blind Pension benefits, have a valid driver license in any state or U.S. Territory? Date of issue:
  • Has any household member operated a motor vehicle while receiving Blind Pension? Who:  Date:

Declaration statements added:

  • I/we understand that if I/we obtain or renew a driver license while receiving Blind Pension benefits I/we will be sanctioned from the Blind Pension program for 2 years, 4 years, or permanently.
  • I/we understand that if I/we operate a motor vehicle while receiving Blind Pension benefits I/we will be sanctioned from the Blind Pension program for 2 years, 4 years, or permanently.

The new FA402 has a revision date of 8/18.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

PL/vb

IM-057 – UPDATE TO THE GATEWAY TO BETTER HEALTH APPLICATION

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FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:   UPDATE TO THE GATEWAY TO BETTER HEALTH APPLICATION
FORM REVISION #14
Gateway to Better Health Application (IM-1MAGW)                  

 

DISCUSSION:

The MO HealthNet Gateway to Better Health Application/ Eligibility Statement has been updated to reflect the current Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) income maximum of $1220.00. 

Use this updated version effective immediately and discard all previous versions. 

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

PL/mc                                            

IM-056 – MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED MANUAL UPDATES REGARDING PERSONS AGED 22-64 IN STATE MENTAL HOSPITALS

Posted on

FROM:PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED MANUAL UPDATES REGARDING PERSONS AGED 22-64 IN STATE MENTAL HOSPITALS

MANUAL REVISION #40

0815.020.00
0815.060.00

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to notify staff of updated policy regarding individuals aged 22-64 who reside in state mental hospitals.  Medical Assistance for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled manual sections 0815.020.00 Initial Assessment and Medical Certification and 0815.060.00 APPLICANTS OR PARTICIPANTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 21 AND 65 IN STATE MENTAL HOSPITAL have been updated to reflect the following:

  • Individuals aged 22-64 who reside in state mental hospitals are not eligible for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind or Disabled (MHABD) coverage.
  • Individuals of ANY age who reside in state mental hospitals may receive Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) or Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB) coverage if they are otherwise eligible.

Staff should disregard previous direction to approve individuals aged 22-64 who reside in state mental hospitals for MHABD Non-Spend Down/Spend Down, Vendor, or Mental Health Care (MHC) coverage.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

PL/kp                                                       

IM-023 – UPDATE TO THE DISABILITY APPLICANT COVER LETTER

Posted on

FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:  UPDATE TO THE DISABILITY APPLICANT COVER LETTER

FORM REVISION #7
Disability Applicant Cover Letter

DISCUSSION:

When sending the Disability Applicant Cover Letter to applicants for MO HealthNet for Aged, Blind or Disabled individuals who are under 65 years old and not receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as mentioned in the Income Maintenance Memorandum IM-44 Required Documentation and Procedures for the Medical Review Team-Processing Center dated September 04, 2014.

Updates reflect the following changes:

  • Governor and Department Director names
  • Removal of references to the Medical Review Team Specialist.

Use this updated version as of 5 pm, September 1, 2018. Do not use the previous versions after that time.

NECESSARY ACTION:

Review this memorandum with staff that would be sending out Medical Review Team packets or answering questions regarding the packet or assisting participants in completing the packet.

  • Begin using the updated Disability Applicant Cover Letter with the revision date of September 2018.

ATTACHMENTS:

Disability Applicant Cover Letter

PL/st