Category: MoHealthNet Home

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: JULY 2023 ANNUAL NON-MAGI PROGRAM ADJUSTMENTS

MANUAL REVISION #
APPENDIX A
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX J
APPENDIX K
0415.005.00
0510.000.00
1030.000.00

DISCUSSION:

Supplemental Aid to the Blind (SAB) and Blind Pension (BP)

Effective July 1, 2023, SAB and BP grants increase from $750 to $789.

The manual sections and appendices listed above have been updated with July 2023 data.

Resource Limit

As a result of HB1565 (2016), resource limits for Non-MAGI programs, except BP and Medicare Savings Programs, increase July 1, 2023. Appendices J and K have been updated with the new amounts.

The weekend of June 10, 2023, all Non-MAGI cases are adjusted in the eligibility system. The Individual Resource Limit and Couple Resource Limit will be updated for actions effective the month of July 2023 and thereafter.

Effective July 1, 2023:

Individual Resource Limit: $5,726

Couple Resource Limit: $11,452

Calculation Method for Resource Limits

Please see 1030.000.00 for the calculation method.

Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) and Shelter Standard

Effective July 1, 2023, the MMMNA and Shelter Standard are increased for Vendor cases.

The weekend of June 10, 2023, all Vendor cases are adjusted in the eligibility system. Allotments for community spouses, minor children, and eligible dependents and the MMMNA and Shelter Standard are updated for actions effective the month of July 2023 and later.

Effective July 1, 2023:

Minimum Maintenance Standard: $2465

Shelter Standard: $740

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/mc

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATED MO HEALTHNET (MHN) POLICY REFERENCES FOR DIVISION OF SENIOR SERVICES AND DIVISION OF MEDICAL SERVICES

MANUAL REVISION #

DISCUSSION:

The MHN policy sections and appendix listed above are updated to change the Division of Senior Services to Division of Senior and Disability Services (DSDS) and Division of Medical Services to MO HealthNet Division (MHD). Revisions were made to update MHN terminology and to remove process information.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/mm

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: NEW INFORMATIONAL FLYER AVAILABLE FOR MO HEALTHNET (MHN) ANNUAL RENEWALS

DISCUSSION:

The Department of Social Services (DSS) created an informational flyer to assist participants with completing MHN Annual Renewals.

This new resource is available to participants at Family Support Division (FSD) Resource Centers or by request. Community partners are also encouraged to utilize the flyer.

FSD staff and community partners can access and print English and Spanish versions of the flyer online from the DSS Medicaid Annual Renewals: Outreach Material page.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/mm

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: FILER CONSENT IS NOT REQUIRED FOR MO HEALTHNET (MHN) APPLICATIONS OR ANNUAL RENEWALS

MANUAL REVISION #
1802.030.00

DISCUSSION:

Filer consent is not required to process MHN applications or annual renewals. Filer consent is only required to access Internal Revenue Service (IRS) data through an external data source. Missouri does not access IRS data through the Federal Data Hub. The manual section listed above is updated with this information.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/rc

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATES TO MO HEALTHNET (MHN) ANNUAL RENEWAL FORMS

MANUAL REVISION #

FORM REVISION #
IM-1U (MAGI)
FA-402

DISCUSSION:

MHN annual renewal forms have been renamed, updated to explain annual renewal processes and provide easier to read instructions and information for participants.

The MO HealthNet Annual Renewal (Non-MAGI) form (FA402) and the MO HealthNet Annual Renewal form (IM-1U MAGI) have been updated in the eligibility systems.

The manual sections listed above are updated to use the new form names or use general references to annual renewal forms.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/cj

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: SELECT PARTICIPANTS AUTOMATIC ELIGIBILITY FOR MISSOURI WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN PROGRAM (WIC)

DISCUSSION:

Participants enrolled in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TA) and select income qualifying MO HealthNet (MHN) programs are automatically income eligible for WIC. The Missouri WIC program provides supplemental food, health care referrals, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support.

Missouri WIC eligibility criteria can be found at Wic.MO.Gov and includes residents of Missouri who meet one of the following category guidelines:

• Pregnant women
• Women breastfeeding an infant up to the infant’s 1st birthday
• Postpartum women up to six (6) months after delivery or end of pregnancy
• Infants up to their 1st birthday
• Children until their 5th birthday

Fathers, grandparents, guardians and foster parents may also apply for benefits for infants and children living in their household.

Local WIC agency staff can search the Missouri Health Strategic Architectures and Information Cooperative (MOHSAIC) system to see if participants are enrolled in FSD programs such as SNAP, TA or MHN. If a participant is enrolled in a qualifying program, no further documentation of income will be required. Participants will be required to provide proof of identification and proof of residency.

Participants who are not enrolled in SNAP, TA or select MHN programs will need to provide income documentation to qualify for WIC. Income must be equal to or below 185% of the federal poverty level.

A list of income qualifying MHN programs can be found here.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Refer eligible households with young children or pregnant women to a local WIC agency in your area or to the WIC Participant Support Line: 800-392-8209 or email WICinfo@health.mo.gov.
• Share the Missouri WIC outreach flier, WIC is for You (WIC-58).

KE/vh

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: UPDATING LANGUAGE TO CURRENT MO HEALTHNET (MHN) TERMINOLOGY

MANUAL REVISION #

DISCUSSION:

The MAGI, Non-MAGI and Legal Aspects manual sections listed above are revised to reflect current MHN terminology, to correct broken links and for easier readability and understanding. The revised sections replace previous manual sections.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/vh

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: ELECTRONIC VERIFICATION SYSTEM (EVS) MANUAL UPDATES

MANUAL REVISION #

DISCUSSION:

The EVS portion of the General Information Manual is updated.

Updates made to:

• simplify the EVS manual,
• reflect current data sources used by the Family Support Division (FSD),
• general terminology, and
• document FSD’s updated interpretation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requirements.
  •  Authorization to use EVS, including sources that have FCRA requirements, is received when a valid application is received.
  • The authorization to review EVS data sources remains valid until:
    • FSD rejects the application;
    • Benefits are terminated; or
    • FSD receives a written and signed revocation.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum and manual section updates with appropriate staff.

KE/rnr

FROM: KIM EVANS, DIRECTOR

SUBJECT: RETURNED MAIL REQUIREMENTS DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD FOR ALL MO HEALTHNET (MHN) PROGRAMS

MANUAL REVISION #
0890.010.00
1885.020.00
1895.010.00

DISCUSSION:

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA, 2023) outlines temporary, required conditions for MO HealthNet (MHN) returned mail. Family Support Division (FSD) is required to use available resources to obtain up-to-date mailing addresses and contact information both prior to and during the transition period. The first step is for MO HealthNet cases to run against the National Change of Address (NCOA) Database at the beginning of the annual renewal process.

Note: Transition period refers to the conclusion of the Continuous Enrollment Condition and restart of annual renewals. Missouri’s transition period is from April 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024.

Additionally, effective April 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024, follow the instructions below when mail is returned for MHN programs. The instructions given below temporarily replace existing returned mail policy during the transition period.

Screen All Mail
Screen all returned mail and check the eligibility systems to ensure the mailing address was correct. Make corrections to the address, such as adding an apartment number, and resend the mail to the corrected address. If the address is correct, determine if the mail is a renewal form or other returned mail.

Renewal Forms and Requests for Information related to an Annual Renewal
When a renewal form or Request for Information related to an Annual Renewal is returned by the post office, FSD is required to attempt to contact the participant using two methods, such as phone, text, mail, email, or updates to an online account.

If the address was correct or the mail was returned a second time:

1. Look for a forwarding address. If the mail does not have a forwarding address, attempt to contact the participant using two additional methods.
2. If the mail has a forwarding address, including out of state addresses, send the returned mail to the forwarding address and attempt to contact the participant to update the address using another method.

Note: When sending a Request for Information that is related to an Annual Renewal, staff must state on the Request for Information that the request is related to information needed for an Annual Renewal.

All Other Returned Mail
For returned mail that was not sent regarding a renewal of eligibility, attempt to contact the participant to obtain an updated address. If an address is not confirmed with the participant and:

1. The returned mail has an in-state forwarding address, send notice (request for contact) to the participant at both the address on file and the forwarding address. Update the address to the forwarding address and do not close coverage, even if the participant does not respond.
2. The returned mail has an out-of-state forwarding address, send notice to both the address on file and the forwarding address. If the participant does not respond or responds and confirms the out-of-state address, send an adverse action notice and after closing, a closing notice.
3. The returned mail has no forwarding address, close the coverage. If the participant reports an in-state address after closing but prior to the end of the certification period, reopen the coverage back to the date of termination.

Note: These temporary returned mail requirements apply to MHN programs only.

Please refer to FAMIS Resources and MEDES Resources for returned mail processing information during the transition period.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.

KE/ers