State office will close all QI-2 (SLMB-3) cases effective December 31, 2002. Letters will be mailed December 23, 2002, to notify all QI-2 (SLMB-3) recipients of this action.  Since Federal Law caused this change the recipient has no basis for a hearing.

Staff should process all pending QI-2 (SLMB-3) applications as soon as possible.  When approving a QI-2 (SLMB-3) application for December 2002, and prior months, staff should approve the case one day and close the case the next day.  An IM-80 is not required since the computer generated approval letter will notify the client that Congress did not extend the program.  The system will not allow QI-2 (SLMB 3) approvals with an application dated after December 31, 2002.

• Review this memorandum with all staff as soon as possible.

Clients Name DCN:
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Dear Clients Name:

The Qualifying Individual 2 (QI-2) program ends December 31, 2002. This program was authorized by Section 1902(a)(10)(E)(IV)(II) and Section 1933 of the Social Security Act, which provided for payment of a portion of Qualifying Individual 2's Medicare Part B premium from January 1998 until December 31, 2002. Congress did not extend this program. Therefore, effective December 31, 2002, you are no longer eligible for the $3.91 payment per month toward your Medicare Part B premium.

If your income has decreased within the past year you may be eligible for another program which can pay your Medicare Part B premium.

If you believe you may qualify for another program, contact your local Division of Family Services Office.

Sincerely,

Caseworker

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