MEMORANDUM

DISCUSSION:

As provided in 42 CFR 435.407(i), health care entities may assist States in obtaining necessary citizenship verification for Medicaid determinations.

'Health care entities' are

• Physicians
• Hospitals
• Clinics
• Other health care professionals, including the staff of any entity listed above.

Staff at health care entities may view original citizenship documents, such as birth certificates and provide a copy to the Family Support Division (FSD) along with an attestation from the staff member who viewed the original.  The attested document may then be submitted to FSD by fax, email, mail, or dropped off at a local office and will be treated as an original viewed by FSD as long as it meets the following:

• In order to be considered a valid submission, the document must include:
  • A statement from the person who viewed the document, indicating that the original was viewed
    • EX: "Original document viewed by"
  • The signature of the person who viewed the document and his/her name printed or typed legibly
  • That person's title and telephone number
  • The date the original document was viewed

If any of the above information is missing, the document will not be considered as an original viewed and FSD will make a new request for the information.

NECESSARY ACTION:

• Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
• Begin accepting citizenship verification from staff at health care entities as outlined immediately.

JG/mah