Category: IM Memo

IM-067 – BURIAL PLOTS POLICY CLARIFICATION FOR THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM

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FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  BURIAL PLOTS POLICY CLARIFICATION FOR THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM

FORM REVISION #45

1110.020.15

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memo is to provide an update to the Food Stamp policy section, 1110.020.15 BURIAL PLOTS .  The update explains the exclusion of burial plots when there are multiple plots.

Each Eligibility Unit (EU) member is allowed one burial plot that is excluded as a resource for the Food Stamp (FS) program. Equity of each additional plot(s) is considered a resource. 

NOTE:  If the individual owes money on the additional burial plot(s), the amount that is owed is subtracted from the market value of the additional plot(s) and the equity amount is counted as a resource.

The FS policy manual has been updated to reflect these changes and provides an example.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

PL/ph

IM-066 – MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) WHEN RECEIVING MEDICARE DUE TO END STAGE RENAL DISEASE

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FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) WHEN RECEIVING MEDICARE DUE TO END STAGE RENAL DISEASE

MANUAL REVISION #44

1060.005.00 

 

DISCUSSION:

Receipt of Medicare due to end stage renal disease (ESRD) is sufficient to establish disability for MHABD programs without a Medical Review Team (MRT) determination in most instances.

The manual has been updated to clarify when an MRT decision is required for individuals receiving Medicare due to ESRD.

An MRT decision is required for participants receiving Medicare due to ESRD only when:

  • The individual’s earned income exceeds the Substanial Gainful Activity (SGA),
  • It has been more than 12 months since the individual received a kidney transplant, or
  • The individual is no longer receiving Medicare, unless approved for SSI, SSDI, or is age eligible for MHABD.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

PL/vb

 

 

IM-065 – VERIFICATION OF REGAINED ELIGIBILITY FOR THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM

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FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  VERIFICATION OF REGAINED ELIGIBILITY FOR THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM

MANUAL REVISION #43

1105.035.35

 

DISCUSSION:

This memo provides clarification to the Food Stamp Policy Manual section, 1105.035.35 Identifying and Tracking Non-Work Months.   

The policy manual has been updated with CLARIFICATION information regarding how to address verifications when determining regained eligibility.

If the individual claims yes to, “Have you or will you have worked or participated in a work program for 80 hours in a 30 day period?”, enter a “Y” on the Training/Work Requirements (FMMR) screen.

  • When “Y” is entered on the FMMR screen, expedite benefits are allowed to be issued when otherwise eligible.

Verification that the individual has regained Food Stamp eligibility is required prior to issuing ongoing benefits.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

PL/ks

IM-064 – HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES (HCB) INCOME UPDATE

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FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES (HCB) INCOME UPDATE

MANUAL REVISION #43

0820.030.15

 

DISCUSSION:

The Medical Assistance for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD) manual has been updated to reflect a clarification of budgeting policy for HCB. The MHABD manual was previously updated to include several earned income deductions that do not apply to HCB.

HCB eligibility is based on an absolute income maximum.  There are no income deductions prior to comparing the gross income of the HCB individual to the HCB income limit.

FAMIS does not allow any income deductions prior to comparing gross income to the HCB income limit.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

PL/vb                                      

IM-063 – INCREASE IN AVERAGE PRIVATE PAY NURSING RATE FOR TRANSFER OF PROPERTY

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FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  INCREASE IN AVERAGE PRIVATE PAY NURSING RATE FOR TRANSFER OF PROPERTY                  

MANUAL REVISION #42

1040.020.40

1040.020.40.05                                                                 

APPENDIX J                                                

 

DISCUSSION:

The average private pay nursing care rate will increase to $6463.  Use $6463 to determine the number of months of ineligibility for vendor level services for applications taken on or after April 1, 2019.

The manual has also been updated to further clarify the penalty period starts in the month the transfer occurred or the month the participant would be eligible, except for the transfer penalty, whichever is later.  This penalty begin date is entered by staff on the Adult MA Penalty (PENALTY/FMWT) screen in FAMIS.

EXAMPLE 1:  Mr. Wise applied for vender care April 2018, and was approved.   May 10, 2018 he gave his home and car to his friend, Mrs. Greedy.  The transfer penalty begins the month the assets were given to Mrs. Greedy, May, 2018.

EXAMPLE 2: Mr. Mace transferred $10,000 to his friend, Mrs. Greedy in May 2018.  He entered a nursing home July 1, 2018, applied and was determined to be eligible for vendor care July 1, 2018 on all factors except the transfer.   The transfer penalty will begin July 1, 2018.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Use $6463 as the average private pay rate effective for applications on or after April 1, 2019.

 

PL/vb                         

IM-062 – FOOD STAMP DEPENDENT CARE EXPENSE CLARIFICATION

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FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  FOOD STAMP DEPENDENT CARE EXPENSE CLARIFICATION

MANUAL REVISION #41

1115.035.10

 

DISCUSSION:

This memorandum is to clarify Food Stamp (FS) expense for a sliding scale fee when there is a dependent care case. 

When a child is authorized to a provider on a Child Care (CC) case and has a sliding scale fee, the sliding scale fee should be included as an expense for the FS case. 

  • Include the sliding scale fee expense when the child is authorized to a dependent care provider.
  • The sliding scale fee expense does not need to be reported by the Eligibility Unit (EU) before allowing the expense.
  • Do not include a sliding scale fee expense if the EU does not incur  a sliding scale.
  • Include dependent care cost that the EU incurs or is billed by the provider.

NOTE:  Review and include mileage or transportation expense for travel to and from the dependent care provider.

Dependent Care is verified by Client’s Statement (CS) unless it is otherwise questionable or inconsistent information is being reported.

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
  • Review policy updates for further clarification and examples.

 

PL/ks

IM-061 – IM-54A HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES REFERRAL FORM REVISION

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FROM:  PATRICK LUEBBERING, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  IM-54A HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES REFERRAL FORM REVISION

FORM REVISION #18

IM-54A

 

DISCUSSION:

The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce a revision to the Home and Community Based Services Referral form (IM-54A). 

The IM-54A has been revised to include a new email address for staff to use when sending referrals to the HCB Processing Center.  The new email address is FSD.HCBinformation@dss.mo.gov. 

 

NECESSARY ACTION:

  • Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

 

ATTACHMENTS:

IM 54A Home and Community Based Services Referral

 

PL/mc

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