Category: IM Memo

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  MANUAL SECTIONS REVISED TO ONLY INCLUDE THE ESTATE RECOVERY INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) PROGRAMS

MANUAL REVISION #

0880.005.00
1025.015.04.01

DISCUSSION:

Revisions have been made to the Estate Recovery section in 0880.005.00 of the MHABD Manual, and the December 1973 Eligibility Requirements Manual section 1025.015.04.01 on Special Needs Trusts, Supplemental Needs Trusts, and Pooled Trusts.

These sections have been updated to remove the descriptive stipulations surrounding when the MO HealthNet Division (MHD) Cost Recovery Unit will or will not file an estate recovery claim against the estate of an MHABD recipient or former recipient. This information is not necessary or required in order for Family Support Division (FSD) staff to determine eligibility for MHABD programs. Estate Recovery section 0880.005.00, has also been revised to include the current email address for the MHD Cost Recovery Unit, as listed below.

As a reminder, staff are prohibited from providing any financial planning advice to participants, authorized representatives, attorneys, or legal guardians. Estate recovery is a legal matter that is managed and overseen exclusively by the MHD Cost Recovery Unit. Participants and/or representatives must be directed to contact MHD directly for assistance, and information regarding estate recovery regulations, processes, and procedures:

• Phone: 573-751-2005
• Email: MHD.Costrecovery@dss.mo.gov
• Mail: Cost Recovery Unit, PO Box 6500, Jefferson City, MO 65102-6500

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/vm

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  REVISION TO SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER SECTIONS IN THE FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) AND MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD), DECEMBER 1973 REQUIREMENTS MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION #
1805.015.00
1005.010.00

DISCUSSION:

Additional exceptions have been added to the Social Security Number (SSN) requirements for MO HealthNet. Per 42 CFR 435.910(h)(1), an exemption to provide an SSN may be granted to a participant who:

• is not eligible to receive a SSN or
• does not have an SSN and may only be issued an SSN for a valid non-work reason in accordance with 20 CFR 422.10

In the eligibility system, record details regarding the exemption that was granted.

Section 1805.015.00 Social Security Number in the MAGI manual and section 1005.010.00 Social Security Number (OAA, AB, PTD) in the MHABD December 1973 Requirements manual have been updated to reflect the additional exceptions.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/kg

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: CLARIFICATION FOR USE OF AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED SUPPLEMENT (IM-1ABDS) AND OBSOLETING APPLICATION FOR MO HEALTHNET (IM-1MA)

DISCUSSION:

Memo #63 released 6/28/2021 introduced the new form IM-1ABDS and stated that the IM-1MA is obsolete as of 7/6/2021. However, some clarifications are needed.

When a participant applies for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled using the Application for Health Coverage & Help Paying Costs (IM-1SSL), and does not submit the IM-1ABDS, staff should attempt to contact the applicant by phone. If unable to collect the information by phone, staff must mail the
IM-1ABDS to the participant with a request for contact.

As of 7/6/2021, the IM-1MA is obsolete and should not be distributed by FSD staff. The MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled appendices (IM-1MA appendices) are still valid and remain in the Department of Social Services Forms Manual. IM-1MA applications will remain available to staff and the public until 7/6/2021.

FSD will honor IM-1MA’s received between 7/6/2021 and 12/31/2021 as applications. An IM-1MA received prior to 12/31/2021 MUST be processed as a valid application.

NOTE: If an IM-1MA is received after 12/31/2021, FSD staff must send an IM-1SSL and IM-1ABDS to the participant. If the IM-1SSL is returned within 30 days, the date of application is the date the IM-1MA was first received.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/cj

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  INCREASE IN VENDOR MINIMUM MONTHLY MAINTENANCE NEEDS ALLOWANCE AND SHELTER STANDARDS ADJUSTMENTS IN VENDOR

MANUAL REVISION #
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX J

DISCUSSION:

Effective July 1, 2021, the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Allowance (MMMNA) and Shelter Standard for Vendor cases are increased. The eligibility system adjusts all Vendor cases on June 12, 2021.

NEW MMMNA AND SHELTER STANDARD

Allotments for community spouses, minor children, and eligible dependents and the MMMNA and Shelter Standard are revised for actions effective the month of July 2021 and later. The revised guidelines effective July 2021 are:

CASES ADJUSTED DURING MASS ADJUSTMENT

The eligibility system uses the current standards for the allotment and surplus determinations completed prior to the mass adjustment.

If there is a community spouse, minor or eligible dependent, the eligibility system determines the new allotment amount using the revised standards. The new allotment for a community spouse, minor or eligible dependent displays on the Allotment Information (ALLOT, FMJ6) screen. The new allotment for a minor not living with the community spouse displays on the Minor Living Outside Allotment Information (MINOR, FMJ2) screen.

If there is a change in the surplus amount, the institutionalized spouse’s coverage is adjusted during the mass adjustment and a notice is sent to the participant.

The coverage for the community spouse, minor or eligible dependent is NOT automatically updated. Manual update of the allotment amount on the Select Income (SELINC) screen is required. This will often result in an adverse action for the community spouse, minor or eligible dependent due to the increase in the allotment amount.

NOTE: Adverse actions are currently being suspended due to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).

The change in the surplus amount displays on the Adult MO HealthNet Vendor Budget Summary (FMD8) screen.

To access the Adult MO HealthNet Vendor Budget Screen:

• Go to the EU Action Log (EULOG/FM40) screen;
• Select a Budget Month;
• Enter F17=INQAUTH;
• Select F16=MHABD;
• Select Coverage Type VEND and press F16=AGBUDSUM

After the adjustment, the eligibility system determines allotments and surpluses for July 2021 and later using the new standards.

NOTICES

Cases resulting in no change from the mass adjustment do not receive an action notice.

FAIR HEARING REQUEST

If the household requests a fair hearing, please see Email Memo IM-22 dated 04/29/2021 Income Maintenance Hearing Unit Statewide Rollout of E-referral Hand of Button for Hearings Requests.

NOTE: Comments must also be made regarding the hearing request in the eligibility system.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/mc