FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: INCIDENT RESPONSE MANUAL REVISION TO IM MANUAL LEGAL ASPECTS
MANUAL REVISION #48
The purpose of this memorandum is to introduce a new section 0130.005.10.65 Incident Response in the IM Legal Aspects Manual. This section provides guidance for staff when an unauthorized disclosure of confidential information occurs and the process to follow.
KE/st
FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: COVID-19 WORK REQUIREMENTS RESUME FOR ABLE BODIED ADULTS WITHOUT DEPENDANTS (ABAWD)
Effective August 1, 2020 ABAWDs will be subject to work requirements. Good cause for noncompliance due to COVID-19 will no longer be allowed. The ABAWD work requirement screen (WORKREQ) will appear in the application flow as before.
Work requirements or exemptions must be assessed for anyone considered an ABAWD. ABAWDs will be subject to the 80 hours per month work requirement or three (3) non-work month time limit.
Effective July 31, 2020 cases that have used all their non-work months will close, as they would have prior to the COVID-19 crisis.
ABAWDS will be notified of these changes. Additional information regarding notices and coding is forthcoming.
KE/cs
FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: COVID-19 UPDATED MO HEALTHNET (MHN) COVERAGE FOR POSITIVE COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS
IM Memo #20, dated March 25, 2020, introduced coverage for individuals testing positive for COVID-19, eligibility requirements, and the process for approving coverage. The process has changed, due to clarification of requirements from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Approval based solely on a COVID-19 positive diagnosis is no longer allowed. Individuals must meet the eligibility guidelines for permanent and total disability.
Effective immediately, medical information must be submitted to the Medical Review Team (MRT) for eligibility determination prior to approval for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (MHABD) coverage, based on COVID-19 diagnosis.
MRT will make the determination if the individual meets the medical eligibility requirements for approval.
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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED (MHABD) MANUAL AND FORM REVISION- MEDICAL DEDUCTIONS WHEN DETERMINING SURPLUS
MANUAL REVISION #47
MHABD manual section 0815.030.10.15 Medical Expenses When Determining Surplus, has been revised.
Health Insurance Premiums: Health insurance premiums for the institutionalized participant paid by the participant or his/her community spouse may be allowed as medical deductions. The manual has been revised to clarify that if it cannot be determined what portion of the insurance premium is for the institutionalized participant, allow the total premium.
Post Eligibility Medical Expenses: Requests for a reduction in surplus affect the participant’s budgeted expenses and these requests must be made by the participant or their Authorized Representative. Requests for reduction in surplus are not required to be in writing.
If the participant prefers that the nursing home or other provider make this request on their behalf, the participant or their Authorized Representative can sign the Post Eligibility Medical Expense Budgeting Request form (IM-63 PEME) giving FSD permission to accept this request from the provider.
New forms have been created for the Post Eligibility Medical Expense (PEME) reduction in surplus determination.
KE/rr
FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUM PAYMENT (HIPP) APPLICATION UPDATED IN MEDES
The purpose of this memo is to notify staff that the HIPP application (HIPP-1) has been updated in MEDES.
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FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: UPDATES TO INCOME AND DEDUCTIONS SECTIONS OF THE FAMILY HEALTHCARE (MAGI) MANUAL
MANUAL REVISION #46
The purpose of this memorandum is to address changes and clarifications to income and deduction information in the MAGI manuals. Some of the changes include:
NECESSARY ACTION:
KE/ams/ers
FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: UPDATE TO THE DEFINITION OF CASH AND SECURITIES SECTION OF THE DECEMBER 1973 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS MANUAL
MANUAL REVISION #45
The title of manual section 1025.010.00 Definition has been updated to Definition of Cash and Securities. This section has also been revised to include information about Direct Express accounts and Missouri child support direct benefit accounts.
Policy regarding Direct Express accounts has not changed.
Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
KE/ers
FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: UPDATING MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND AND DISABLED (MHABD) MANUAL TO CORRECT OUTDATED LINK
MANUAL REVISION #44
1010.000.00 CITIZENSHIP AND ALIEN STATUS (OAA, PTD, and AB) was updated to correct the link to the Family MO HealthNet (MAGI) manual and to remove the obsolete manual reference to the Family Healthcare (FAMIS) manual.
There was no change to policy.
KE/cj
FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: COVID-19 HAZARD PAY FOR ALL INCOME MAINTENANCE (IM) PROGRAMS
The purpose of this memorandum is to discuss hazard pay for the Food Stamp (FS), Temporary Assistance (TA), Child Care (CC), and MO HealthNet (MHN) programs.
Hazard pay is additional pay for performing hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship. If the participant receives hazard pay that is expected to be ongoing, even temporarily such as during an emergency period, it is included as part of their regular gross wages and not excluded as income or budgeted separately. Hazard pay may also be shown as incentive pay on pay stubs.
Example: Ms. Teel’s pay stubs for 4/30/2020 and 5/15/2020 verify gross wages in the amount of $550. Her pay stubs also show she is paid $100 for hazard pay. Ms. Teel’s gross wages for each pay period would be budgeted as $650.
Staff must enter detailed comments/notes in the eligibility system regarding the portion of wages that are hazard pay. If the participant or employer indicates that hazard pay will only be received for a specific timeframe, comments/notes must include any information regarding the anticipated end date.
NOTE: In MEDES comments must be included on the evidence and person pages.
KE/rw/hrp/sb/rr/ams
FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS AS AN AVAILABLE RESOURCE FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED (MHABD) AND BLIND PENSION (BP)
MANUAL REVISION #43
Retirement accounts are an available resource to an MHABD or BP participant if the funds can be accessed by the individual. This includes funds held in an IRA, 401, 403, Keogh, pension, or deferred compensation plan, even if there is a penalty.
The amount held in the account, less any penalty required for early withdrawal, is an available resource. Taxes withheld are not excluded from the value.
EXAMPLE: Mr. Banks has an IRA with a balance of $100,000.00. He reports he can’t access the funds in the account until he retires. Upon review, it is discovered Mr. Banks can access the funds with a 10% penalty for any withdrawals prior to retirement. There will also be a 15% withholding to pay taxes due for the withdrawal. The IRA ($100,000.00) less the early withdrawal penalty ($10,000.00) is an available resource to Mr. Banks ($90,000.00). The $15,000.00 withheld to pay taxes is not excluded.
IRA, 401(k), 403(b), Keogh, pension, or deferred compensation plan accounts belonging to the parent of a disabled child are not considered a resource for the disabled child, even if they are available to the parent. See 1025.015.07.05 Retirement Accounts Belonging to the Parent of a Disabled Child for more details.
The portion of retirement accounts funded by earnings received while an individual was receiving Medical Assistance for Working Disabled (MA-WD) is not an available resource until the individual turns age 65. Any remaining balance is a resource, if the individual has access to the funds. See 1025.015.09 Retirement Accounts Belonging to a Former MA-WD Participant for more details.
See Retirement Accounts User Guide for instructions for entering accounts into FAMIS.
KE/vb