Temporary absences from Missouri, with the intent to return, do not affect continuity of residence and do not cause ineligibility for assistance. An individual may leave Missouri for a visit, business purposes, or other temporary reasons.
Covered MO HealthNet services may be available to Missouri residents temporarily absent from Missouri if:
- travel to Missouri for medical services would endanger the participant’s health
- medical services are needed because of a medical emergency
- the State of Missouri determines, on the basis of medical advice, that the needed medical services are more readily available in another State; or
- it is the practice for participants in a particular area to use medical resources in another State (e.g., physicians or other vendors that have secured Missouri Title XIX provider status)
Determination of continued residence is based:
- on the applicant/participant’s statement and action with regard to their intention to return
- a definite understanding between the individual and FSD as to the probable length of time they will be away from Missouri, so the temporary duration of the absence is evident
Determine the applicant/participant’s reasons for leaving and the approximate length of time the applicant/participant expects to be away. When an applicant/participant’s temporary absence from Missouri is later found to be a permanent move with intention to remain elsewhere, immediately authorize actions in FAMIS to discontinue assistance.
When an MHABD applicant or participant expects to leave the State temporarily, the applicant/participant must:
- contact FSD in advance to inform them of the planned absence
- make arrangements for determining their ongoing eligibility
If the applicant/participant plans to be out of the State for less than 90 days:
- Instruct the applicant/participant to inform FSD immediately if plans change and the applicant/participant will be out-of-state for 90 or more days
- Record a comment on the Eligibility Unit Member Role (EUMEMROL) screen to document the contact with the applicant/participant
- Set a Reminder in FAMIS to contact the applicant/participant at the time of their anticipated return to Missouri
If an applicant/participant leaves the State WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN OR ORAL NOTIFICATION to FSD:
- Forward an Appointment Letter/Request for Information form FA-331 to the applicant/participant at their out of state address, if one is available, or to their last known address, as soon as the change is known
- If the applicant/participant fails to respond to the Appointment Letter/Request for Information form FA-331 within 10 days, remove the verification code from the Resident (FMA0) screen, and
- Make a comment from that screen relating to applicant/participant’s absence from the state
- Complete an Eligibility Determination EDRES to generate a Request for Information form FA-325
- If the individual does not respond, FAMIS will generate an adverse action to close the case
- If the applicant/participant responds and no longer claims Missouri residency
- Authorize an Adverse Action to close the case
- Record a comment on the Eligibility Unit Member Role (EUMEMROL) screen to document the contact with the applicant/participant and the reason for the adverse action
- If the applicant or participant responds claiming Missouri residency and that the temporary absence will be less than 90 days
- Record a comment on the Eligibility Unit Member Role (EUMEMROL) screen to document the contact with the applicant/participant and the determination of their continued Missouri residency
- Set a Reminder in FAMIS to contact the applicant/participant at the time of their anticipated return to Missouri