Category: MoHealthNet Home

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  MO HEALTHNET AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) SUPPLEMENT FORM (IM-1ABDS) AVAILABLE ONLINE

DISCUSSION:

Effective 1/28/2022, the IM-1ABDS is available to be completed and submitted online. Participants can access the IM-1ABDS by going to myDSS.mo.gov/healthcare/apply.

The IM-1ABDS was introduced in Memo IM-63 dated June 28, 2021 and is used to collect information for MO HealthNet (MHN) participants who are applying for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD) programs.

NOTE: An IM-1ABDS collects additional information needed for MHABD. It is not an application. An MHN application MUST be submitted to explore eligibility.

A MHN application can be submitted online at myDSS.mo.gov/healthcare/apply, by calling 855-373-9994, or by submitting an Application for Health Coverage & Help Paying Costs (IM-1SSL).

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/cj

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  2022 AFFORDABLE INSURANCE QUOTES UPDATED ON FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) APPENDIX G

MANUAL REVISION #
MAGI APPENDIX G

DISCUSSION:

MAGI Appendix G has been updated with 2022 insurance quotes from the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM). Affordable insurance determinations for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) premium children must still be completed with the CHIP Affordability Test Calculator (MAGI Appendix G).

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Begin using the updated CHIP Calculator (MAGI Appendix G) immediately. The updates are effective January 1, 2022.

KE/df

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  UPDATE OF 1619 THRESHOLD AMOUNT

MANUAL REVISION #
Appendix J

DISCUSSION:

The threshold amount established by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine eligibility under Section 1619 of the Social Security Act has increased to $3,988 effective January 1, 2022. Additional information regarding 1619 eligibility is available in manual section 0850.005.20 Financial Need.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/rnr

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  UPDATE TO APPLICATION REQUEST (IM-1REQ) FOR ALL MO HEALTHNET (MHN) PROGRAMS

FORM REVISION #
IM-1REQ

DISCUSSION:

The IM-1REQ has been updated to be used for all MHN programs, including Family MO HealthNet programs and MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled programs.

Family Support Division staff mail the IM-1REQ and an Application for Health Coverage & Help Paying Costs (IM-1SSL) when an individual requests a paper application.

The IM-1REQ is now available to staff only in the FSD Intranet Income Maintenance (IM) Forms Manual.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/cj

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  UPDATE TO FEDERAL NOTICE REQUIREMENTS IN THE LEGAL ASPECTS MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION #
0130.005.05.30

DISCUSSION:

Legal Aspects manual section 0130.005.05.30 Federal Notice Requirements has been updated to correct a typographical error regarding legal reference 45 CFR 92.101 Meaningful access for individuals with limited English proficiency.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/ams

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  ADULT EXPANSION GROUP (AEG) ADDED TO FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) PROGRAMS LIST IN THE MAGI MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION #
1800.000.00

DISCUSSION:

AEG has been added to the program list under MO HealthNet for Families in manual section 1800.000.00 Family MO HealthNet Programs.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/ams

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  THE APPLICATION FOR MO HEALTHNET (MEDICAID) (IM-1MA) IS NO LONGER ACCEPTED AFTER 12/31/2021

DISCUSSION:

IM-63 dated June 28, 2021 announced that the IM-1MA should no longer be used to apply for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD) and is obsolete. The following note from IM-63 is retracted and is not to be followed:

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.

Family Support Division (FSD) honored the IM-1MA through 12/31/2021 as a valid application. After 12/31/2021, do NOT register an IM-1MA as a valid application— instead:

• Send the applicant a Request for Information (IM-31A), an Application for Health Coverage & Help Paying Costs (IM-1SSL), and an Aged, Blind, and Disabled Supplement (IM-1ABDS).
  • The IM-31A should explain that the application received is not valid and that the applicant can apply using the enclosed application, apply online, or apply by phone.

When the IM-1SSL is returned:

• Verify that it is signed.
• Register the application and follow established processing procedures to explore all MO HealthNet programs.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/cj

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  GATEWAY TO BETTER HEALTH TRANSITION LETTER AND UPDATED MO HEALTHNET (MHN) ELIGIBILITY REVIEW FORM (IM-1U)

FORM REVISION #
IM-1U
GTBH Transition Letter

DISCUSSION:

Beginning 11/19/2021, many current Gateway to Better Health (GTBH) participants were mailed a Gateway to Better Health Transition Letter and an IM-1U. These letters and forms may be sent to participants multiple times, until the form is returned or the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

Participants should complete the form and return it to the Family Support Division (FSD) by the date listed on the review form. FSD will use the information to explore MHN Adult Expansion Group (AEG) for those participants.

If a participant wishes to contact FSD by phone, FSD may explore AEG eligibility by completing a phone application and returning a review form is not necessary. Participants can call FSD Contact Center at 855-373-9994 to complete a phone application.

NOTE: Some GTBH participants will NOT receive a review form or letter as they are already part of a Family MO HealthNet (MAGI) household and additional information is not needed to explore eligibility for AEG.

The IM-1U was updated to gather all of the information necessary to explore AEG and eligibility for other MHN programs.

When a form needs to be replaced, staff can print the IM-1U for the participant.

NECESSARY ACTION:

Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/cj

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  SECTION 529 PLANS, OR “MOST” ACCOUNTS, ADDED TO DECEMBER 1973 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) MANUAL

MANUAL REVISION #
1025.015.19
1805.030.20.10

DISCUSSION:

Section 529 plans, known as MOST accounts in Missouri, are a type of investment account used to save for or provide for education expenses.

The December 1973 Eligibility Requirements manual is updated with a new section, 1025.015.19 Section 529 Plans, or MOST Accounts. This section describes:

• The income and resource treatment of Section 529 plans for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled programs
• Treatment of MOST accounts awarded to participants of the Missouri Vaccine Incentive Program (MO VIP)
• Treatment of funds transferred from a MOST account to an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account

Section 1805.030.20.10 Income Excluded Under MAGI is updated to note distributions from Section 529 plans, or MOST accounts, are an excluded income type when the distributions are used for qualified education expenses.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/ers

FROM:  KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT:  2022 FAMILY MO HEALTHNET (MAGI) COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) FOR VETERANS ADMINISTRATION (VA) AND RAILROAD (RR) INCOME

DISCUSSION:

Effective January 2022 VA and RR participants will receive a 5.9% COLA for MAGI programs.

NOTE: The Families First Coronavirus Response Action of 2020 (FFCRA) requires that MO HealthNet (MHN) coverage for individuals be maintained at the same level or better for the duration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The eligibility system will not reduce or end MHN coverage due to the COLA changes until the PHE is ended.

Cases Adjusted

Cases that include income types VA and/or RR benefits in the eligibility system are subject to an automatic increase of 5.9% for those income types. The eligibility system will end date the previous income and add a new piece of income evidence that reflects the adjusted income amount.

NOTE: Actions to reduce benefits will not be taken until the COVID-19 PHE has ended.

Cases That Did Not Adjust

Some cases will not adjust during the COLA. These cases will require manual intervention from staff to add the increased income amounts. As cases are reviewed, check the 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 will finalize the decision(s) and send out the appropriate notices. Adverse Action notices will not be issued until the COVID-19 PHE has ended.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/kg