Category: 2019

IM-121 FOOD STAMP CLARIFICATION OF DEPENDENT IMMIGRANTS OF VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE REQUIREMENT

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FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  FOOD STAMP CLARIFICATION OF DEPENDENT IMMIGRANTS OF VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE REQUIREMENT

MANUAL REVISION #87

1105.010.10.20

 

DISCUSSION:

This memorandum introduces updated Food Stamp Manual section, 1105.010.10.20 Immigrants with Military Connections.

Immigrants with military connections can receive benefits without a waiting period.  This includes dependents of a veteran or of an active military person. The definition of an immigrant, who is the dependent of a veteran or active military person, has been updated for clarification.

Veteran’s active-duty service requirement of 24 months has been updated to the minimum active-duty service requirement.  This is a clarification from Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

PL/ks/ja

IM-120 STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE UNDER THE MO HEALTHNET CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP)

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FROM:  REGINALD E. McELHANNON, INTERIM DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE UNDER THE MO HEALTHNET CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (CHIP)

MANUAL REVISION #86

1840.010.15.12

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce policy clarifications to section 1840.010.15.12 State Employee Health Insurance of the MAGI manual.  This section discusses how access to state employee health insurance relates to MO HealthNet Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility and the types of employees who may or may not have access to health insurance through state government.  The updates include:

  • Additional employment types that may not be eligible for State Employee Health Insurance:
    • Interns
    • Contract Employees
  • Two additional examples regarding Missouri residents who work for other state governments or agencies
  • Instructions to request policy clarifications when staff are uncertain if the employer is classified as a state agency

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

RM/ams

IM-119 DEDUCTING POST ELIGIBILITY MEDICAL EXPENSES FROM THE SURPLUS OF MO HEALTHNET VENDOR PARTICIPANTS

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FROM:  REGINALD E. McELHANNON, INTERIM DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  DEDUCTING POST ELIGIBILITY MEDICAL EXPENSES FROM THE SURPLUS OF MO HEALTHNET VENDOR PARTICIPANTS

MANUAL REVISION # 85

0815.030.10.15

 

DISCUSSION:

Participants who receive  MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD) vendor coverage may deduct certain medical expenses from the surplus amount- health insurance premiums and Post Eligibility Medical Expenses (PEME). 

The Post Eligibility Medical Expense deduction allows for a participant’s surplus to be reduced to enable him/her to pay for necessary medical expenses that were incurred during the three months prior to the month of their application.

Example:  Ms. Gray applies for MO HealthNet Vendor coverage on July 25, 2019. She is approved for ongoing coverage effective with the month of application.  Ms. Gray is not eligible for MO HealthNet coverage during the prior quarter months.  She can request that her surplus be reduced to allow her to use her current income to pay her outstanding medical bills from the prior quarter months. 

PEME guidelines are discussed in MHABD Manual section 0815.030.10.15 titled Medical Deductions When Determining Surplus. 

Upon receipt of a request for a surplus reduction due to Post Eligibility Medical Expenses, request a copy of the receipt or bill to verify the countable medical expense(s). 

The receipt or bill must include:

  • name of patient,
  • date of service(s),
  • type of service(s) provided,
  • charge for service(s) provided,
  • amount of third party liability, and
  • amount that the participant is responsible to pay.

The FAMIS system is not currently programmed to deduct PEME expenses from the surplus. The expenses should be entered on the MEDEXP screen as Health Insurance (HI), with PEME listed in the description field.  A detailed comment must describe the expenses and the number of months in which the surplus will be reduced to cover them. 

If the surplus will be reduced for three months or less, the appropriate end-date can be entered at this time.  If the surplus will be reduced for longer than three months, staff must manually track a reminder to end-date the expense in the appropriate future month.  Failure to end-date the expense may result in a claim.

Example: Gray has a surplus of $100 per month.  She has $1000 in Post Eligibility Medical Expenses that can be used to reduce her surplus.  The $100 surplus will be reduced to zero for 10 months.   

Participants who are eligible for a Post Eligibility Medical Expense reduction in their surplus must be notified using a Notice of Eligibility for Nursing Facility and Other Vendor Services (IM-62) form.

Participants who are not eligible for a Post Eligibility Medical Expense reduction in their surplus must be notified using a Notice of Case Action for Adult Medicaid and Cash Assistance (IM-33) form. 

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

RM/rr

IM-118 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE MANUAL UPDATE TO CLARIFY GIFT INCOME AS INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED INCOME

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FROM:  REGINALD E. McELHANNON, ACTING DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE MANUAL UPDATE TO CLARIFY GIFT INCOME AS INCLUDED OR EXCLUDED INCOME

MANUAL REVISION #84

0210.015.05

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to notify staff that clarification was added to policy 0210.015.05 Sources of Earned, Unearned, and Educational Income.

For unearned income source of ‘gifts’ (GF) clarification has been added to reference policy 0210.015.35.50 to determine if the income should be included or excluded based on the amount.

Exclude – If the gift is a small non-recurring cash gift such as those for Christmas, birthdays, and graduations which do not exceed the percentage of need standard for the assistance group in a month. FAMIS will exclude this as income and will not pend for verification.

Include – If the gift is over the percentage of need standard for the assistance group in a month. FAMIS will include this as income and will pend for verification if needed.

Examples

  • $290 received as a onetime gift in a month for a household of 3 would be excluded since the percentage of need for a household of 3 is $292.
  • $500 received as a onetime gift in a month for a household of 4 would be included since the percentage of need for a household of 4 is $342.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

RM/plh

IM-117 FOOD STAMP STANDARD MEDICAL DEDUCTION EXPENSE CLARIFICATION

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FROM:  REGINALD E. McELHANNON, INTERIM DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  FOOD STAMP STANDARD MEDICAL DEDUCTION EXPENSE CLARIFICATION

MANUAL REVISION #83

1115.035.15.05

 

DISCUSSION:

This memorandum provides clarification to the amount of the Food Stamp Standard Medical Deduction (SMD). 

The Standard Medical Deduction (SMD) is $135 ($170 – $35 = $135).   

The Food Stamp Manual section, 1115.035.15.05 Amount of Medical Deduction, has been updated to reflect the correct medical deduction expense.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

RM/ks/ja

IM-116 CLARIFICATION FOR UPDATING SSI INCOME FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED (MHABD) VENDOR PARTICIPANTS

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FROM:  REGINALD E McELHANNON, INTERIM DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  CLARIFICATION FOR UPDATING SSI INCOME FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED (MHABD) VENDOR PARTICIPANTS

MANUAL REVISION #82
0815.030.05

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to inform FSD staff of updated policy regarding how SSI income is treated when a participant enters a nursing home facility.  MHABD Manual section,  0815.030.05 Determining Adjusted Gross Income has been updated to provide additional clarification. 

When a participant enters a vendor facility, his or her SSI benefits will change due to the new living situation. The Social Security Administration reduces SSI benefits, and requires SSI recipients to repay benefits received after the change in living situation occurs. To guarantee the correct surplus for vendor coverage is calculated and the participant has funds to pay SSI recovery and surplus, FSD staff will update the SSI income when notified of vendor placement regardless of whether or not SSI amount has been updated yet on IIVE.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • FSD staff that updates vendor placement must also update SSI income.

RM/cj

IM-115 UPDATED CANCEL CLOSE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FAMIS CASES

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FROM:  REGINALD E. McELHANNON, INTERIM DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  UPDATED CANCEL CLOSE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FAMIS CASES

MANUAL REVISION #81

0840.015.10

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to notify staff of the correct process for cancel closing Temporary Assistance (TA), Adult MO HealthNet (MHN), Child Care (CC) and Food Stamp (FS) cases in FAMIS. This email memorandum will replace Email IM-#42 from June 20, 2017 with new information pertaining to the Food Stamp program.

An Agency error closing is defined as a closing that occurs after all necessary, requested information was provided by the participant. This includes:

  • Information/verification is received timely but not acted on by the agency        before the case closes;
  • The agency incorrectly budgets income or enters resources causing a case to close incorrectly.
  • The review form was received during the adverse action period, but the closing was not voided in time.

For ALL programs, an agency error closing should be cancel closed as soon as the error is found regardless of how much time has passed since the case closed. If the action is no longer on ACTRES:

  • For TA and CC Cases, create a new application using the original application date.
  • For FS Cases contact FAMIS to complete the cancel close.
  • For MHN Cases follow the MO HealthNet Special Instructions at the end of this memo.

A Participant error closing is defined as a closing that occurs due to the direct action or inaction of the participant. This includes:

  • Required or requested information/verification is not received in a timely manner.

ONLY for TA, MHN, and CC Cases, participant error closings may be cancel closed if the participant provides all missing information that caused the closing within 30 days of the date the closing action was completed. The action is considered completed on the date listed on the EU Action Log (EULOG) screen under STATUS DATE, for the closing action.

For FS Cases, participant error closings may be cancel closed if the participant provides all missing information that caused the closing by the end of the month in which the participant last received benefits. The case cannot be cancel closed in any month after benefits have ended.

EXAMPLE 1:  Ms. Carter’s FS, TA, and CC cases closed January 15, 2019 because she failed to return the requested verification of her income. She last received FS benefits on January 7, 2019. On February 10, 2019, Ms. Carter turned in the requested verification.  

The missing verification was provided less than 30 days after the closing.  The TA and CC cases should be cancel closed and adjusted based on the verified income. The FS case should NOT be cancel closed because the verification was received after the end of the month Ms. Carter last received her FS benefits. She will need to reapply for FS.

EXAMPLE 2:  Mr. Ford’s FS, TA, and MHN cases closed January 15, 2019 because he failed to return the requested verification of his income. On February 22, 2019, Mr. Ford turned in the requested verification.

It is more than 30 days since the cases closed (January 15). It is also after the end of the month Mr. Ford last received his FS benefits. Mr. Ford will need to reapply for FS, TA, and MHN, if he wishes to continue receiving benefits.

For special instructions on cancel closing Adult MO HealthNet cases, please refer to 0840.015.10 Reopening Close Cases.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

RM/hrp

IM-114 REMOVAL OF AUTOMATIC HEARING REQUIREMENTS FOR TANF DRUG TESTING

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FROM: REGINALD E. McELHANNON, INTERIM DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  REMOVAL OF AUTOMATIC HEARING REQUIREMENTS FOR TANF DRUG TESTING

MANUAL REVISION #80

0240.025.10

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to notify staff that manual section 0240.025.10 is revised. This part of the manual now reflects removal of the automatic hearing requirement related to drug testing for Temporary Assistance (TA) cases.  Senate Bill (SB) 680 passed during the 2014 legislative session removed the automated hearing requirement.  The regulation changing the hearing requirements, 13 CSR 40-2.440, became effective April 30, 2015.

Hearing rights and due process are always offered to the client.  When a hearing is requested prior to the expiration of the Adverse Action Notice (FA-510) and the participant requests to continue receiving benefits at the same level, staff are required to put the participant’s TA case in ‘HOLD’ status on the Action Resolution (ACTRES/FM50) screen. FAMIS processes the participant’s disqualification if the case isn’t put in ‘HOLD’ status.  Refer to Email Memorandum #41 dated March 23, 2015 for hearing procedures.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

RM/hrp

IM-113 VERIFICATION OF APPLICATION FOR OTHER BENEFITS AT APPLICATION FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) PROGRAMS, AND SUPPLEMENTAL NURSING CARE (SNC)

Posted on

FROM:  REGINALD E. McELHANNON, INTERIM DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  VERIFICATION OF APPLICATION FOR OTHER BENEFITS AT APPLICATION FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) PROGRAMS, AND SUPPLEMENTAL NURSING CARE (SNC)

MANUAL REVISION #79

1000.005.00 APPLICATION FOR OTHER BENEFITS

0840.005.00.05 APPLICATION FOR OTHER BENEFITS AT ANNUAL REVIEW

 

DISCUSSION:

Application for other benefits is a requirement for all MHABD programs per Federal Regulations in 42 CFR-435.608.  This memorandum is to inform staff of a change in the verification requirement at application for MHABD, and SNC programs, which states participants not currently receiving SSI/SSDI or other benefits they may be entitled to receive, must verify status of application for those benefits.         

Effective immediately, self-attestation is acceptable evidence to verify agreement to apply for, and/or application is currently pending for other benefits.  IM Manual Section 1000.005.00 Application for Other Benefits has been updated to reflect this change. 

Application for other benefits must be verified at annual review.  If evidence is not provided, or is unavailable to FSD staff at annual review, staff must request verification from the participant.  Refer to 0840.005.00.05 APPLICATION FOR OTHER BENEFITS AT ANNUAL REVIEW for additional information.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

RM/vm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IM-112 NEW IM-1MAC ADDENDUM TO REQUEST CASH BENEFITS FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED PARTICIPANTS

Posted on

FROM:  REGINALD E MCELHANNON, ACTING DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  NEW IM-1MAC ADDENDUM TO REQUEST CASH BENEFITS FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED PARTICIPANTS

FORM REVISION #25
IM-1MAC

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to inform Family Support Division staff of a new form that has been added to the forms manual.  The IM-1MAC ADDENDUM TO MO HEALTHNET APPLICATION:  REQUEST FOR OPTIONAL CASH BENEFITS should only be used for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind and Disabled (MHABD) program participants who request the following cash benefits in addition to the MHABD benefits they have applied for or are already receiving:

  • Supplemental Nursing Care (SNC)
  • Supplemental Aid to the Blind (SAB)
  • Blind Pension (BP)

Because the form itself is NOT a stand-alone application, the only individuals who may use this form are participants who:

  • already have active MHABD coverage; OR
  • have previously submitted a complete application and are still in application status.

NOTE:  Staff should no longer require an active or application status MHABD participant to complete a new application to have eligibility explored for the SNC, SAB or BP MHABD cash programs.

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

PL/kp