| TO: | ALL COUNTY OFFICES |
| FROM: | JANEL R. LUCK, DIRECTOR |
| SUBJECT: | DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS INMATE EARLY APPLICATION FOR MO HEALTHNET FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED |
DISCUSSION:
The Department of Corrections (DOC) and Family Support Division (FSD) are partnering to allow early MO HealthNet applications by a limited number of inmates about to be released to the community. The goal of the partnership is to improve the transition process of inmates upon their release to the community, thereby increasing public safety, strengthening families, stabilizing neighborhoods, reducing new victimizations, and maximizing resources. As part of FSD's agreement with DOC, FSD will accept applications for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (MHABD) that were completed by DOC personnel for potentially eligible inmates. DOC inmate early MO HealthNet applications are dated the date of receipt by FSD. This process is to begin immediately.
Department of Corrections Role and Responsibilities
DOC agreed to facilitate the application process on behalf of FSD for certain inmates within its custody who would appear to otherwise meet all factors of eligibility for MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled except for being incarcerated. DOC will gather necessary eligibility information for qualifying inmates, including completing the following forms:
- IM-1MA application form
- IM-60 Medical Referral and Authorization Letter
- IM-60A Medical Report Including Physician's Certification/Disability Evaluation
- IM-61 Social Information Summary
- IM-61B Disability Questionnaire
- Authorization for Disclosure of Consumer Medical/Health Information
- IM-7 Financial Information Request (if applicable)
- IM-9 Insurance and Prepaid Burial Letter (if applicable)
DOC personnel will assist the inmate in completing the application before the anticipated day of release and will send the application and documentation to FSD Central Office to facilitate contact with the FSD county office where the inmate plans to reside upon release. DOC staff will assist in obtaining any requested information that may be necessary to make a determination for the inmate. On the day the inmate is released DOC will notify FSD and provide an updated home address for the inmate. DOC will provide FSD the name of a DOC staff member to contact if FSD needs additional information.
Family Support Division Role and Responsibilities
Central Office
FSD Central Office will date and log the receipt of the completed application packet and forward it to the county office where the inmate plans to reside upon release. Central Office staff will serve as liaison with DOC and will notify county office staff when the inmate is released.
County Office
FSD eligibility specialists must register the application using the date the application was received by FSD Central Office as the date of application. Process these applications in the usual manner for processing MHABD applications with one exception. The exception is that FSD must notify the inmate in writing at the address on the application of its decision regarding eligibility for MO HealthNet benefits within two (2) working days of the inmate's release into the community providing all factors of eligibility have been met. If the inmate remains incarcerated on the application due date, the application must be rejected.
NOTE: An application must not be approved until confirmation is received that the inmate has been released from DOC.
Since FSD has an agreement with DOC that they may accept applications on our behalf, FSD can accept for documentation of citizenship a copy of the inmate's birth certificate that is in the possession of DOC if DOC staff provide a statement that they viewed the original birth certificate. This is the same policy and procedure established with other agencies that have agreements or contracts with FSD to accept applications on our behalf. In addition, DOC may furnish the inmate's DOC ID card which shows his or her name, picture, and inmate number as documentation of identity.
If the inmate is ineligible based upon any factor other than being an inmate of a public institution as defined in Section 1020.005.00 of the December 1973 Eligibility Requirements manual, a case rejection may be completed once that decision is made. However, if the inmate is eligible on all other factors the application must be held until the due date before rejecting it based upon the applicant being an inmate of a public institution.
The due date for DOC applications is the earlier of:
- Two (2) working days after the inmate is released by DOC, if all necessary verification has been received and all eligibility factors are met; or
- 45 days (if age 65 or over) or 90 (if based on PTD or AB criteria) days from the date of application.
NOTE: If all factors of eligibility are not established by the due date, follow policy in Section 0105.045.05 Reasons For Delay in Disposition of Applications.
The eligibility specialist must notify FSD Central Office of the approval or rejection and reason for rejection via an e-mail to Jennifer.K.Heimericks@dss.mo.gov.
EXAMPLE: On October 31 FSD receives a MHABD application completed by DOC on behalf of 49 year old Joe, an inmate who may be released within the next 60 days. DOC included all documentation needed to establish eligibility. FSD Central Office sends the application packet to the county office. The eligibility specialist registers the application with an application date of October 31 and submits Joe's medical records provided by DOC to MRT. MRT notifies the county office on November 30 that Joe meets PTD requirements. However, Joe is still incarcerated in DOC. The eligibility specialist must hold the application until verification is received that Joe is no longer incarcerated or the application is due, whichever is earlier. On December 10 FSD Central Office notifies the eligibility specialist that Joe was released by DOC into the community and confirms his address. The eligibility specialist approves Joe's application on December 12 and sends him an approval letter. The eligibility specialist notifies FSD Central Office of the decision made on the application.
EXAMPLE: On November 2 FSD receives a MHABD application completed by DOC on behalf of 30 year old Carmen, an inmate who may be released within the next 60 days. DOC included all documentation needed to establish eligibility. FSD Central Office sends the application packet to the county office where it is registered with an application date of November 2. The eligibility specialist follows normal MRT procedures, and MRT notifies the county office on December 3 that Carmen meets PTD requirements. However, Carmen is still incarcerated in DOC. Therefore, the eligibility specialist must hold the application until Carmen is released or the application is due, whichever is earlier. On January 31, the application due date, Carmen is still incarcerated. On January 31 the eligibility specialist rejects Carmen's application based upon living in a public institution and sends Carmen a rejection letter. The eligibility specialist notifies FSD Central Office of the decision made on the application.
EXAMPLE: On December 4 FSD receives a MHABD application completed by DOC on behalf of 39 year old Bob, an inmate who may be released within the next 45 days. DOC included all documentation needed to establish eligibility. FSD Central Office sends the application packet to the county office where it is registered with an application date of December 4. The eligibility specialist reviews the application and determines that Bob has resources that exceed the maximum for MHABD. The eligibility specialist rejects the application immediately and sends Bob a rejection letter as there is no need to hold the application until Bob is released. The eligibility specialist notifies FSD Central Office of the decision made on the application.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with all appropriate staff.
- Date MHABD applications from DOC the date they are received by FSD Central Office.
- Process MHABD applications for DOC inmates effective immediately.
- Accept a copy of the inmate's birth certificate furnished by DOC with a statement from DOC that they viewed the original for citizenship purposes.
- Notify the inmate of the eligibility decision within two (2) working days of the inmate's release from DOC if all eligibility criteria are met.
- Reject applications on the due date if the inmate continues to be incarcerated.
- Reject applications if ineligible for any reason other than being an inmate when the decision is made.
- Notify FSD Central Office of the decision made on the application.