MA-WD premium amounts are based on a percentage of mid-point of each income range and therefore are adjusted effective April 1st each year.  This year there is no change in the premium amount for persons with income between 151 and 175% of the FPL.  There is a $1.00 increase for MA-WD recipients in the other premium ranges.

On the weekend of March 22, 2003, the Information Systems Technology Division will adjust the expense and deficit fields for the following types of active cases: MC+ for children, MC+ for pregnant women, MAF, Medical Assistance (single individuals), MA-WD, QMB and SLMB cases.  The OASDI amounts (if applicable) will also be adjusted for active Medical Assistance (single), MA-WD, QMB and SLMB cases.  QMB cases were not included in the COLA adjustments in December 2002, due to federal legislation requiring that OASDI COLA increases not be considered on QMB budgets until the effective date of the new Federal Poverty guidelines.  This federal legislation is also applicable to SLMB cases.  The OASDI amounts for QMB and SLMB cases are increased based on cost of living with this adjustment.  Missouri applies this same rule to the MA-WD program.

Medical Assistance, MA-WD, MAF, MC+ for Children and Pregnant Women Program 

For IMU5 transactions entered on or after March 24, 2003, use the new poverty income amounts, effective for April 2003 (attached). Use the new amounts even if eligibility was established for March or earlier months based on the old amounts.  This is necessary to prevent edits.  Eligibility for months prior to April 2003 must be based on the old poverty standards.  Also, effective March 24, 2003, IBCA will be updated with the new standards.

The IM-30 is being revised.  A memorandum will be issued when the revision is available.

• For March 2003 and prior months, use the old poverty figures in effect during those months; and

• For April 2003 and later, use the amounts on the attached page.

For this adjustment, we are bypassing edit Error Code 382 - Poverty, Incorrect Expense on the poverty cases.  If a case currently has poverty figures (whether correct or in error), the case will be updated with the new poverty figures.  After the adjustments are made the edit will be reactivated.  Some children may have a change in LOC because of the increase in FPL.  These cases will be adjusted and the recipient notified of the change in their level of care.

Medical Assistance Income Standard

The Medicaid non-spenddown income limit for an individual has increased from $591.00 to $599.00.  This change does not effect couple cases, as the SSI maximum for a couple is $829.00 (currently 82% FPL).  The IMU5 system will require the $599.00 figure starting March 24, 2003, for entries in field 33 for single individual MA cases.  All active single individual spenddown cases will be updated on the weekend of March 22, 2003.  All single individual spenddown cases with income at or below $599.00 will be converted to non-spenddown.  For cases that remain spenddown the new amount will be printed on the invoices that are scheduled to be mailed on April 2, 2003.  For cases with a decrease in the spenddown amount, the April invoice will be adjusted on the MPNI screen.  New invoices for April will not be sent, but DMS will accept the lower amount to begin April coverage.  For clients meeting spenddown with bills in April, the worker is to use the adjusted amount.  For active cases with an increase in spenddown, the increase is effective for May coverage, as April invoices have already been sent.

Recipients who have a change in the spenddown status or amount will be sent the appropriate attached notice.

Effective April 1, 2003 the non-spenddown income limits for MA are:
 

MA-WD Gross Income Limit

Below are the new MA-WD income limits.  Use these amounts for all MA-WD eligibility determinations completed for April and ongoing months.
 

All active premium cases with income at or below $1123.00 will be converted to non-premium effective April 1, 2003 and will be sent the attached notice.  For cases that remain premium the new amount will be printed on the invoices that are scheduled to be mailed on April 2, 2003.

QMB Income Standard Increase

Below are the new QMB income standards.  Use these standards for all QMB eligibility determinations completed for April or later months.
 
 

QMB material in Chapter VI is revised to include the new figures.

SLMB Income Standard Increase

Below are the new SLMB income standards.  Use these standards for all SLMB eligibility determinations completed for April or later months. NOTE: Because SLMB eligibility can include prior quarter determinations, use the previous standards for months prior to April 1, 2003.
 
 

QMB, SLMB and MA-WD OASDI Adjustment

For the mass adjustments, Data Processing will match each individual to BENDEX to determine current OASDI amounts.  This amount includes the COLA increase received in January 2003.  If the individual matches to BENDEX, the new OASDI amount is entered in Field 13J and the difference between the old OASDI amount and the new OASDI amount is added to the gross and net income fields.  The new standard for household size is entered in the expense field and a deficit or surplus is calculated.  Adjusted cases appear on ICAS with the new budget figures on the first working day after the mass adjustment.  No turnaround IM-5 forms are produced with this adjustment.

On the day of the mass adjustment, if the figure in Field 33 (Expense) is not a previous QMB, SLMB, MA or MA-WD expense figure the case will not be adjusted.  Additionally, if the new Field 35 is calculated to be a surplus, the case will not be adjusted.  (MA expense figures correctly appear when an MA spenddown automatic close generates a QMB or SLMB automatic open.)  Cases not adjusted appear on a listing entitled "QMB/SLMB Cases Needing Review for Adjustment" or "MA-WD Cases Needing Review for Adjustment", sent to the counties for review.  The listing contains explanatory captions for each case not adjusted. NOTE:  Check for SLMB eligibility for QMB cases where a surplus is calculated.

Some cases will be adjusted by a percentage method based on information in the IM database if BENDEX information is not available.  Any case adjusted by the percentage method will be identified with an asterisk (*) at its caption.  In previous adjustments, these cases were not adjusted, with reason "IM NO BENDEX."

If a case does not appear on BENDEX but shows OASDI on the IM database, the case may be adjusted.   Other cases will be adjusted by applying the 1.4% increase to the OASDI amount shown in 13J.  For these cases, if the amount in 13J is wrong, the adjustment will be wrong.  The worker is responsible for correcting 13J and any other affected figures.  Because SMI premium information will not be available from BENDEX on percentage-adjusted cases, the program will attempt to identify premium payers and will assume the premium was $54.00 as of December 2002.  Because not every premium is $54.00, a small portion of percentage-adjusted cases may be wrong due to this assumption.  Therefore, each percentage-adjusted case is marked on the listings with an asterisk (*) to help caseworkers identify them in case of incorrect adjustments.

After the adjustment, IMU5 will accept only the new QMB, SLMB or MA-WD standard expense figures.  Therefore, effective March 24, enter QMB, SLMB or MA-WD IM-5/IMU5 transactions using the new figures.

NOTE: MA cases that would have become spenddown were not adjusted in December 2002 during the COLA'S.  Those cases will be adjusted the weekend of March 22 and sent the appropriate notice if applicable.

County Office Responsibility

Using the listing "QMB/SLMB Cases Needing Review for Adjustment", review listed cases as follows:

QMB SURP - These cases have a surplus calculated in Field 35.  Review for 
 continuing eligibility, including eligibility under the SLMB program.

SLMB SURP - These cases have a surplus calculated in Field 35.  Review for continuing eligibility.

IM NO BNDX - These cases have an OASDI amount in Field 13J of IMU5 but no OASDI amount appearing on the BENDEX tape file.

Review for accuracy of information in the IM database and make necessary corrections.

IM > BNDX - These cases have an OASDI amount in Field 13J of IMU5 that is greater than the amount appearing on the BENDEX tape file.  Review for accuracy of information in the IM database and make necessary corrections.

INCOR EXP - These cases appear as the result of a computer generated opening (i.e., the QMB/SLMB only case was opened when an MA spenddown case was auto closed, and the MA budget figures remain in Fields 33 through 35.)  These are for information only.  Correct the budget figures at the next regular handling.

General Relief and QDWI Manual Updates

The General Relief chapter and the QDWI material in Chapter VI are revised to include the new poverty figures.  Use the figures in Chapter II for support capability determinations effective for April 1, 2003 and later.  Use the updated QDWI expense standards in Chapter VI for eligibility determinations made for April 1, 2003 and later.

• Review this memorandum with all appropriate staff.

• Begin using the new poverty level figures for MC+ for children and pregnant women, MAF, Transitional Medical Assistance, Medical Assistance, MA-WD, QMB, SLMB, QI-1, QDWI, and General Relief support determinations effective for April 1, 2003 and later.  Use the new figures for IMU5 transactions entered on or after March 24, 2003.

• Review cases on listing "QMB/SLMB Cases Needing Review for Adjustment" or "MA-WD Cases Needing Review for Adjustment" and take necessary action.

• File the revised manual pages.