- TO:
- ALL COUNTY OFFICES
- FROM:
- JANEL R. LUCK, DIRECTOR
- SUBJECT:
- MO HEALTHNET PROCESSING FOR HURRICANE GUSTAV EVACUEES
DISCUSSION:
The United States Department of Health and Human Services has issued a Public Health Emergency Declaration, which states that a public health emergency exists in the states of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas due to Hurricane Gustav. Evacuees from these states may come to Missouri seeking shelter and/or medical attention.
If an individual temporarily displaced from one of the four states comes to Family Support Division and requests MO HealthNet assistance (Medicaid and/or medical assistance in other states), he/she must be allowed to apply for assistance. Individuals who are current Medicaid participants in the affected states do not need to apply for MO HealthNet assistance in Missouri, unless they intend to make Missouri their permanent residence. Those individuals from the affected states who are not currently receiving benefits and declare Missouri residence may be eligible for Missouri MO HealthNet benefits.
NOTE: At this time, the number of evacuees from these states is considerably lower than those evacuated during Hurricane Katrina. Louisiana reported on September 1, 2008, that most residents had taken refuge in Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, or Kentucky. The number of Hurricane Gustav evacuees that seek refuge in Missouri are expected to be fairly low.
CURRENT MEDICAID PARTICIPANTS FROM AFFECTED AREAS
Evacuees who are current Medicaid participants in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi or Texas should be able to access medical services in other states. In addition, out-of-state providers can enroll to become a provider for these states as a result of Hurricane Gustav. It is not necessary to take a MO HealthNet application if an evacuee is a current Medicaid participant in their state of residence.
Provide the websites listed below to any evacuees requesting assistance or to providers making inquiries for evacuees who are Medicaid participants in their state of residence.
- Alabama
- http://www.medicaid.state.al.us/
- Louisiana
- http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/miscdocs/docs-119/GustavEvacueeSheet083108.pdf
- Mississippi
- http://www.dom.state.ms.us
- Texas
- http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/index.shtml
Missouri medical providers who provide services to evacuees with Medicaid coverage from the states of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi or Texas should request reimbursement from the respective state’s Medicaid agency. Completion of an out-of-state provider application is required for reimbursement to be considered. The websites may be used to assist in acquiring provider enrollment information.
APPLICATIONS FOR MISSOURI MO HEALTHNET
Accept MO HealthNet applications for evacuees who plan to stay in Missouri and request verification necessary to determine eligibility. Follow standard verification policies, not Hurricane Katrina/Rita policy from 2005. If further clarification is needed on case specific situations, contact Family Support Division’s Program and Policy Unit through appropriate supervisory channels.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
- Take MO HealthNet applications and process as a Missouri resident if the evacuee has no plans to return to the affected area or leave Missouri for another state.
- No MO HealthNet application is required if the evacuee is currently receiving Medicaid in their state of residence, unless the evacuee plans to make Missouri his/her permanent residence.
- Provide websites to evacuees and MO HealthNet providers as appropriate.