Eligibility determination for prior quarter Medicaid coverage is separate from the eligibility determination of current coverage. A child DOES NOT have to be currently eligible for Medicaid coverage to be eligible for prior quarter coverage and vice versa. The effective dates of prior quarter coverage are no earlier than the first day of the third month prior to the month of application and can extend to but not include the first day of the month of application.
To be considered eligible for prior quarter Medicaid coverage, the claimant must, during the prior quarter meet all eligibility factors. If the claimant becomes eligible for assistance sometime during the prior quarter, eligibility for Medicaid begins on the first day of the month in which the claimant became eligible for assistance.