| TO: | ALL COUNTY OFFICES |
| FROM: | JANEL R. LUCK, DIRECTOR |
| SUBJECT: | PUBLIC ASSISTANCE REPORTING INFORMATION SYSTEM (PARIS) |
DISCUSSION:
PARIS is an information exchange designed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families. It provides state public assistance agencies with information that can be used to make referrals, document client circumstances and reduce state Medicaid costs.
On a quarterly basis, PARIS matches participating states' public assistance records with:
- Other participating states' public assistance records (Interstate Match),
- Veterans Administration records (VA Match),
- Federal records for active or retired military and federal employees (Federal Match).
Missouri has been participating in the Interstate Match and the Division of Medical Services successfully uses match information to identify and control duplicate participation in Medicaid. Missouri is expanding its participation in PARIS to include both the VA and the Federal Match. Information from the matches will be used to assist claimants and ensure that they are receiving all the benefits for which they are eligible. Information from the matches will also be used to ensure that all sources of claimants' income and medical insurance are identified.
Information from the VA and Federal Matches will be used for all Income Maintenance programs and the Food Stamp Program. Matches will be generated in March, June, September and December.
Excel spreadsheets with VA and Federal Match information will be distributed by e-mail to each regional liaison and county office. County Managers will be responsible for having the listings distributed to individual Eligibility Specialists and their supervisors.
This memorandum discusses the following topics:
- Information Provided on the VA Match;
- Reviewing the VA Match;
- Information Provided on the Federal Match; and
- Reviewing the Federal Match.
INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE VA MATCH
Each quarter, Eligibility Specialists will receive a printout of any cases in their caseload in which VA records do not match FSD records. Cases will be included if:
- VA records show benefits being received, but FSD records do not.
- There is a discrepancy of $25.00 or more between VA's record of the benefit amount and FSD's record of the benefit amount.
Information on the printout will include:
- Identifying information such as region, county, load number, case number, SSN and name of the person receiving VA benefits.
- Relationship of the person receiving benefits to the veteran.
- Type of VA benefit (compensation or pension).
- Compensation is payment for a service-connected disability.
- Pension is payment for veterans with a limited income who are permanently and totally disabled or at least 65 years of age.
- Gross monthly award amount.
Income Discrepancies
- Review the case record of each individual on the match.
- If there is a discrepancy between FSD records and information reported on the match, contact the claimant to obtain information necessary to resolve the discrepancy.
- Verify the amount of the VA benefit and take appropriate action, depending on the type of assistance involved. Note: For Food Stamp simplified reporting cases, follow simplified reporting policy. VA matches are not considered verified upon receipt.
Third Party Liability
Civilian Health and Medical Program of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is available to VA Compensation payees who are spouses and/or children of veterans. The veteran must have a 100% permanent disability or have died from a service-connected disability.
- When reviewing the listing to resolve income discrepancies, also identify individuals receiving Medicaid who might be eligible for CHAMPVA.
- During the contact with the claimant, determine if the individual is covered by CHAMPVA.
- If appropriate, verify the CHAMPVA information and complete a TPL-1.
- If the individual is potentially eligible for CHAMPVA but states s/he does not have coverage, refer him/her to the Veterans Administration to apply.
Reduced VA Pension
Veterans on Medicaid with a vendor level of care receive a reduced pension of $90.00. Individuals with a $90.00 pension payment and a level of care other than N, K or D may be receiving an incorrect payment.
- When reviewing the listing to resolve income discrepancies, identify individuals receiving a $90.00 VA pension payment.
- During the contact with the claimant, refer individuals who are not vendor level of care to the Veterans Administration for a potential increase in payment.
- Include the $90.00 VA payment as income when determining need on cases with a level of care other than N, K or D. Make an adjustment when VA increases the pension amount.
Veterans Receiving Zero Payment
Some veterans who have a claim for benefits may be receiving no payment. This could be due to a change in the veteran's situation or due to a failure on the part of the veteran to comply with a requirement.
- Review the listing and identify individuals with zero payment in the Gross Award column.
- Refer these individuals to the Veterans Administration to explore potential reinstatement of benefits.
Referrals to the Veterans Administration
Use the pamphlet entitled A Summary of VA Benefits to make referrals to the Veterans Administration. The pamphlet is available on the Veterans Administration web site at this address: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/summaryVAbenefits.pdf 
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INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE FEDERAL MATCH
Each quarter, Eligibility Specialists will receive a printout of any cases in their caseload in which the payee receives federal government or military earnings or retirement.
Information on the printout will include:
- Identifying information such as region, county, load number, case number, SSN and name of the person receiving federal government or military income.
- Type of income and gross pay:
- Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Pay is earned income. Gross pay represents current pay period.
- Other Civilian Pay is earned income. Gross pay represents annual total pay.
- Civilian Retirement is unearned income. Gross pay represents the monthly gross amount.
- Military Active Duty is earned income. Gross pay represents year to date taxable wages plus current monthly allowances for housing and sustenance.
- Military Retirement is unearned income. Gross pay represents the gross monthly amount.
- Military Reserves is earned income. Gross pay represents the current month.
- Non-Appropriated Funds is earned income. Gross pay represents annualized salary.
When the Federal match is received, the ES will review the listing and identify discrepancies that need to be resolved and referrals that need to be made.
Income Discrepancies
- Review the case record of each individual on the match.
- If there is a discrepancy between FSD records and information reported on the match, contact the claimant to obtain needed information.
- Verify the amount of income and take appropriate action, depending on the type of assistance involved. Note: For Food Stamp simplified reporting cases, follow simplified reporting policy. Federal matches are not considered verified upon receipt.
Third Party Liability
TRICARE is the Department of Defense's health care program. Individuals on active military duty or retired from military duty are automatically enrolled in TRICARE. In addition, some military reservists are eligible for TRICARE. Family members, surviving spouses and surviving unmarried children may also be eligible for TRICARE.
- When reviewing the listing to resolve income discrepancies, identify individuals receiving Medicaid who might be eligible for TRICARE (Income Type of Military Active Duty, Military Retirement, and Military Reserves).
- During the claimant contact, determine if the individual is covered by TRICARE.
- If appropriate, verify the TRICARE information and complete a TPL-1.
- If family members appear to be eligible but state they do not have coverage, advise them to contact their local uniformed services personnel office or call 1-800-538-9552.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with all staff.
- Take appropriate action on matches within 10 days. Note: For Food Stamp simplified reporting cases, follow simplified reporting policy. VA and Federal matches are not considered verified upon receipt.
- When appropriate, refer individuals to VA using pamphlet entitled A Summary of VA Benefits.
- When appropriate, refer individuals to their local uniformed services personnel office to explore eligibility for TRICARE.