SUBJECT:
EXEMPTION OF SSI RECIPIENTS AND MEDICARE RECIPIENTS FROM PROVIDING DOCUMENTATION OF CITIZENSHIP AND IDENTITY FOR MEDICAID BENEFITS
DISCUSSION:
Section 1903 (x) (2) of the Social Security Act is amended and 42 § 435.1008 has been added to the Code of Federal Regulations stating that the requirement to provide documentary evidence of citizenship and identity does not apply to individuals declaring themselves to be citizens or nationals who are either entitled to or enrolled in any part of the Medicare program or receiving SSI.
Retroactive back to July 1, 2006, any Medicaid applicant or recipient declaring to be a citizen or national who is receiving either Medicare benefits or SSI is not required to provide documentary proof of citizenship and identity. Medicare eligibility can be verified by using IIVE or a Medicare card and SSI can be verified by IIVE or SDX. The documentation used to verify SSI or Medicare enrollment must be filed in the case record.
The requirement outlined in Section 6036 of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 that Medicaid applicants and recipients declaring to be U.S. citizens or nationals provide documentation of citizenship and identity is intended to ensure that beneficiaries are citizens, without imposing undue burdens on them or the State. It is recognized that seniors and disabled individuals who receive Medicare or Supplemental Security Income have already met certain documentation requirements and are therefore exempt from providing documentation of citizenship and identity for the purposes of receiving Medicaid benefits.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
- Exempt SSI and Medicare recipients from the citizenship/identify verification requirement.