MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

Effective immediately, cancel close Temporary Assistance, MO  HealthNet for Families, and MO HealthNet for Kids cases when a reinvestigation form is received the same month that the case closed for failure to complete and return the reinvestigation form.  Enter the reinvestigation the same day the case is cancel closed following current procedures.

In addition, when a reinvestigation form for a MO HealthNet for Families or MO HealthNet for Kids case is received after the month the case closed due to failure to complete and return the reinvestigation form, accept the reinvestigation form as a new application for benefits. A new IM-1UA application form is not required.

Reinvestigation Form Received the Same Month Case Closed for Failure to Complete and Return  the Reinvestigation Form

When a Temporary Assistance reinvestigation form (FA202); MO HealthNet for Families, or MO HealthNet for Kids reinvestigation form (FA402); is received within the same month that the case closed due to failure to complete and return a reinvestigation form, take appropriate action to cancel close the case and process the reinvestigation using current procedures. Refer to FAMIS User Guide, “Completing a Temporary Assistance/Medical Assistance Reinvestigation in FAMIS” for instructions on how to complete a reinvestigation in FAMIS.

NOTE:  Failure to enter a reinvestigation in FAMIS when the case was cancel closed during the same month the reinvestigation is due will cause FAMIS to begin the adverse action process again for failure to complete and return the reinvestigation form and results in a delinquent reinvestigation.  Therefore, the eligibility specialist must enter the reinvestigation during the same month the reinvestigation is due to avoid the case closing again and to avoid a delinquent reinvestigation.

EXAMPLE: Mr. Ely’s reinvestigation is due in February 2009. Mr. Ely failed to complete and return his reinvestigation form by the due date, and the case closed for failure to complete the reinvestigation.  On February 20, 2009,  Mr. Ely provides his completed reinvestigation form. The eligibility specialist’s supervisor cancel closes the case.  The same day the eligibility specialist completes the reinvestigation in FAMIS following current procedures.   

MO HealthNet for Kids premium cases can only be cancel closed by Family Support Division’s Income Maintenance Program and Policy Unit as announced in Memorandum IM-93 dated September 14, 2007.  This policy is in effect to prevent loss of coverage for the children.  When a premium case is cancel closed, it only restores eligibility; it does not provide coverage for the children.  Program and Policy staff must coordinate with MO HealthNet Division to ensure that the children receive coverage once a premium case has been cancel closed.  A block in FAMIS prevents cancel closing on premium Eligibility Units (EU) when at least one member of the EU was eligible as a CHIP73, CHIP74 or CHIP75. A Family Support Division supervisor will receive the following message, “Premium level of care CCL action, restricted to Program and Policy” when attempting to cancel close a premium case. An eligibility specialist will receive the message, “Security profile not found” when attempting to cancel close a premium case.   Continue to submit requests for cancel closings by e-mail to Program and Policy staff through normal supervisory channels to Jessie Maupin at Jessie.F.Maupin@dss.mo.gov.  Program and Policy will inform supervisory staff when the cancel close is complete.  The eligibility specialist must then complete the reinvestigation in FAMIS.

EXAMPLE: Ms. Green’s reinvestigation is due in February 2009. Ms. Green failed to complete and return her reinvestigation form for her MO HealthNet for Kids premium case by the due date, and the case closed for failure to complete the reinvestigation.  On February 26, 2009, Ms. Green provides her completed reinvestigation form. The eligibility specialist’s supervisor notified Program and Policy, and the case is cancel closed the same day.  The same day the eligibility specialist completes the reinvestigation in FAMIS following current procedures.

Reinvestigation Form Received after the Month Case Closed for Failure to Complete and Return the Reinvestigation Form

If a MO HealthNet for Families or MO HealthNet for Kids reinvestigation form (FA402) is received after the month the case closed due to failure to complete and return a reinvestigation form, accept the reinvestigation form as a new application for benefits. A new IM-1UA is not required.  The date of application for MO HealthNet for Families or MO HealthNet for Kids is the date the reinvestigation form is received in the county office.

NOTE:  This policy applies to MO HealthNet for Families and MO HealthNet for Kids programs only, not Temporary Assistance due to the face-to-face interview and Immediate Engagement requirements.

EXAMPLE: Ms. Jackson’s reinvestigation for MO HealthNet for Kids is due in March 2009. She failed to complete and return the reinvestigation form, and the case closed. Ms. Jackson’s reinvestigation form for MO HealthNet for Kids is received on April 1. The eligibility specialist registers a MO HealthNet for Kids application for benefits with an application date of April 1 (the date the reinvestigation form was received) and processes the application following current procedures.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff immediately.
• Cancel close any Temporary Assistance, MO HealthNet for Families, or MO HealthNet for Kids case when a reinvestigation form is received the same month the case closes for failure to complete and return a reinvestigation form.
• Use the reinvestigation form as an application for MO HealthNet for Families or MO HealthNet for Kids when received after the month the case closes for failure to complete and return a reinvestigation form.   A new IM-1UA is not required.

ER