MEMORANDUM

2013 Memorandums

IM-#85      09/27/13

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
FAMILY SUPPORT DIVISION
P.O. BOX 2320
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI
TO:
ALL COUNTY OFFICES
FROM:
ALYSON CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
MISSOURI ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION AND ENROLLMENT SYSTEM (MEDES) RELEASE ONE - OCTOBER 1, 2013

DISCUSSION:

This memorandum introduces changes to field operations effective October 1, 2013, with Release One of the Missouri Eligibility Determination and Enrollment System (MEDES). The Union Processing Center in Franklin County and the Jefferson City Processing Center in Cole County will be assuming additional duties. Other field offices will be required to use a new application form of MO HealthNet for Families programs. This memorandum discusses:

Memorandums related to specific policy information will be issued separately.

Customer Portal

Effective October 1, 2013, customers will be able to complete a pre-screening process and apply for MO HealthNet for Children (MHK), Families (MHF), Pregnant Women (MPW), and Uninsured Women's Health Services (UWHS) programs directly through the Department of Social Services customer portal at mydss.mo.gov. Online applications for Child Care, Food Stamps, MO HealthNet for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled, or Temporary Assistance programs are not available at this time.

The availability of the online application does not change normal application procedures for MO HealthNet programs. Individuals who want to apply for MHK, MHF, MPW, and/or UWHS are not required to apply online. Individuals will be able to ask for application forms to be mailed to them, to come to the local offices to apply, or to mail, drop-off or fax completed applications to be processed by local offices. If the individual contacts a local office, accept the application for MHK, MHF, MPW, and/or UWHS, and process it in FAMIS using current eligibility criteria and budgeting.

Streamlined Application Form (IM-1SSL)

The ACA specifies that states must use a single streamlined application form for programs subject to MAGI methodology. The programs subject to MAGI methodology are MHK, MHF, MPW, and UWHS. The IM-1SSL will be available online and in print October 1, 2013. The IM-1SSL forms should be utilized by all field offices, processing centers, resource centers, and the FSD INFO Center effective October 1, 2013.

NOTE: If customers wish to apply for other programs by mail, fax or drop-off they must complete the appropriate form such as the Food Stamp Application (FS-1) or the MO HealthNet Application/Eligibility Statement (IM-1MA).

MAGI Processing Center in Union

If an applicant accesses the IM-1SSL online, the application form provides a central address the applicant may use to submit their application. This address is PO BOX 1010,Union, MO 63084.

Effective October 1, 2013, the Union Processing Center will begin accepting mail-in IM-1SSL forms for MHK, MHF, MPW, and UWHS that have been printed from the DSS website. The Union Processing Center will use current eligibility criteria and budgeting methods to process these applications in FAMIS through December 31, 2013. If applications for Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance, MO HealthNet for Aged, Blind, Disabled, and/or Child Care are received with the IM-1SSL, the applications will be accepted and processed at the Union Processing Center.

NOTE: Do not tell or ask applicants to mail applications to the Union Processing Center. Applications for all programs may be accepted in any Family Support Division Income Maintenance location. If an applicant receives an IM-1SSL from a local office, the applicant should return it to the local office for processing.

When fulfilling requests for mailed applications, the Family Support Division Information Center (FSD INFO) will continue to provide a cover sheet instructing the applicant to return the application form to the local office.

The Union Processing Center will operate a toll free information line 1-855-373-9994 where customers may file telephone applications for MHK, MHF, MPW, and/or UWHS, or seek technical assistance for issues related to the online application process. As of October 1, customers who find the toll free number online may call the Union office to complete an application.

NOTE: Do not offer telephone applications or refer customers to call the Union Processing Center unless they specifically call and request a telephone application for MHK, MHF, MPW, and/or UWHS.

The Union Processing Center will mail the application completed by telephone to the customer for signature and will verify identity through existing procedures until Remote Identity Proofing is available and telephonic signatures are accepted. The application date will be the date the customer calls the Union Processing Center and completes the application by telephone. If the signed application is not received the application must be rejected.

NOTE: Customers will continue to utilize the FSD Info Center toll free number for specific case questions and general program information.

Contact Center

In the future, operations of the toll free help line will be transitioned from the Union Processing Center to a new Contact Center. The Contact Center will assist customers with telephone applications and the online application process. When fully operational the Contact Center will also provide assistance with MO HealthNet managed care plan selection and enrollment.

MAGI Processing Center in Jefferson City

Effective October 1, 2013, the Jefferson City Processing Center will accept all online applications that are submitted through the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM) or the DSS customer portal. Through December 31, 2013, these applications will be processed through FAMIS, using current eligibility criteria and budgeting methods.

Technical Assistance for FSD Staff

A central email account FSD.MEDES@dss.mo.gov is established for customer portal technical questions from FSD staff. The need for technical assistance should be limited to the Union Processing Center at this time. The Jefferson City Processing Center will respond to questions through the central email account. Questions related to Income Maintenance policy and procedure should be routed through supervisory channels.

NOTE: Procedures regarding policy questions and clarifications have not changed. All questions regarding policy should be sent  through supervisory channels to the appropriate policy liaison for the region on a Request for Interpretation of Policy (IM-14) form.  The policy liaison will send it to Program and Policy for interpretation if required.

Roles and Responsibilities of other FSD Field Offices

With MEDES Release One, other field offices, including customer service centers and resource centers, will see few changes in daily operations. All offices must begin using the IM-1 SSL form for MHK, MHF, MPW, and UWHS effective with the October 1, 2013 release date. Customer service and processing centers will continue to accept and process MHK, MHF, MPW, and UWHS applications in FAMIS. There are no changes to local field office operations as a result of MEDES Release One other than implementation of the new IM-1SSL application form for the MHK, MHF, MPW, and UWHS programs.

Applications Rejected October – December 2013

Applications processed in FAMIS October – December 2013 that are rejected, must be processed in MEDES in January to see if the applicant would be eligible under the MAGI methodologies which are effective January 1, 2014. Hard copies of all rejected application forms (IM-1SSL) must be retained in the local office. Offices will be provided direction on disposition of the hard copy applications at a later date.

The "Better Door"

The "Better Door" concept refers to directing online customers to the best health care options available to meet their needs. This will be accomplished through the use of the MAGI pre-screening calculator. As customers enter the mydss.mo.gov website, they will be directed to the calculator which will collect information about household size, number of dependents, pregnancy, and gross annual income.

The pre-screening results will direct customers to the health care options – Cost Sharing Reduction, Advance Premium Tax Credits, or MO HealthNet programs – for which potential eligibility is indicated. Detailed information about the "Better Door" will be discussed in a future memorandum.

Missouri Proposition E and Navigator Responsibilities

When responding to inquiries regarding the FFM (formerly called the federally facilitated exchange), provide the following information:

On Nov. 6, 2012, Missouri voters approved Proposition E, which prohibits any state agency from implementing a health insurance exchange absent a legislative act, an initiative petition or referendum. Based on current state law, the Missouri Department of Social Services is not participating with the federal government in the administration of the health insurance exchange that will be used by Missouri residents. For more information about the federally facilitated exchange, contact the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at 1-800-318-2596 or visit their Web site https://www.healthcare.gov/

NOTE:  Family Support Division staff must not access https://www.healthcare.gov/ to assist customers because it is prohibited by Proposition E.

Some communities will have access to ACA Navigators who will serve as an in-person resource for individuals who want additional assistance in shopping for and enrolling in plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace. In Missouri two organizations received grants to train navigators:

Staff may refer individuals to these organizations if information is available locally on these services.

NECESSARY ACTION:

ATTACHMENTS:

AC/JT/KSO

2013 Memorandums