STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   MC #8

MANUAL:  Aged, Disabled and Long Term Care Medicaid Eligibility Manual

DATE:  December 1, 2007

New policy now requires a Medicaid applicant or recipient to apply for Medicare coverage if he or she appears to be eligible.  We have also clarified that enrollment in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is not required if an individual has other creditable drug coverage.  

We have updated the following items to reflect annual increases for 2008:

• Long Term Care community spouse resource and income allowance, and household member standards

• Medicare Part A and B premiums

• Medicare Part D premium and coverage information, including changes to the Low-Income Subsidy program

We have also added references to federal and state laws and regulations governing the Medicaid program.  All changes described in this transmittal apply to all applications and reviews processed on or after January 1, 2008.

Highlights of these policy revisions are described below.  If you have any questions, please contact the Policy and Program Development Team at 465-3347 or email dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 500  Overview of Aged, Disabled and Long Term Care Medicaid

• Adds references to federal and state laws and regulations governing the Medicaid program.

MS 505  Third Party Liability and Recovery

• Adds new policy that Medicare enrollment is required to become or remain eligible for Medicaid if an applicant or recipient appears to be Medicare eligible.

MS 506-B  Medicare Enrollment

• Removes old policy that Medicare enrollment is voluntary and adds new policy that requires Medicare enrollment if an individual appears eligible.

• Adds cross-references to Sections 505 and 510.

• Adds guidance for caseworkers about how individuals apply for Medicare coverage and how enrollment is verified.
   

MS 506-D(4)  Part D Prescription Drug Coverage

• Provides additional information about applicants or recipients who have other creditable prescription drug coverage and the potential impacts of joining a Medicare drug plan.

MS 506-E  Medicare Deductible/Coinsurance

• Updates Medicare Part D coverage information with the 2008 premiums, deductibles and copayment amounts.

MS 520-B  U.S.United States Citizenship and Eligible Alien Status

• Clarifies that proof of identity is also required when a data match or interface is used to verify citizenship.

• Adds Permanent Fund Dividend interface in Level Two acceptable documentation.

MS 554-B  Verification and Documentation

• Clarifies that a Med 3 Declaration/Denial of Asset Transfer form, or M723 Transfer of Asset Declaration notice, must be provided and completed for all nursing home or home and community based waiver applicants, including child waivers when an applicant did not apply with a Med 4 Application for Medical Assistance for Adults and Children with Long Term Care Needs.

MS 554-K  Annuities

• Clarifies that an allowable annuity can be purchased with proceeds from an employee retirement account or trust, employee  pension, or Roth Individual Retirement Account, or meet certain other qualifying conditions.

• Clarifies that an allowable annuity must name the State as a remainder beneficiary regardless of how it is purchased.

MS 560-E   HCB Waiver Referrals and Interagency Communications

• Removes use of form GEN 140A Referral to Division of Senior and Disability Services for APDAdults with Physical Disabilities (HCB Waiver) and OAOlder Alaskans waiver referrals.  When individuals do not have a care coordinator, caseworkers no longer need to send a GEN 140A for waiver referrals. Instead, caseworkers must provide DSDSDivision of Senior and Disabilities Services contact numbers so the person or guardian can contact DSDSDivision of Senior and Disabilities Services for names of care coordination agencies in the person's community.
   

MS 580-D  Low-Income Subsidy (LIS ) Program

• Updates the number of Medicare Part D plans and coverage information with the 2008 premiums, deductibles and copayment amounts.

Addendum 1  Program Standards

• Updates the 2008 Long Term Care community spouse resource and income allowance, and household member standards.

Addendum 2   EIS Subtypes

• Removes invalid "IC" subtype

• Adds "IP" subtype for Residential Psychiatric Treatment Center Waiver

Addendum 5  Medicaid EISEligibility Information System Notices

Adds the following Medicaid Notices:

• M008 - Medicare Benefits Available

• M125 - RPTCResidential Psychiatric Treatment Center Waiver Approved-Disabled Child

• M126 - RPTCResidential Psychiatric Treatment Center Waiver Approved-FMFamily Medicaid/ DKC Child

• M218 - Medicaid Denied - Excess Home Equity

• M310 - Medicaid - SLMBSpecified Low Income Medicare Beneficiaries Information Needed

• M321 - RPTCResidential Psychiatric Treatment Center Waiver: Info Needed-FMFamily Medicaid/ DKC Child

• M418 - Medicaid Closed - Excess Home Equity

• M718 - Excess Home Equity - Med Benefits Change

Addendum 6  Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy Guide

• Updates the Low-Income Subsidy chart with the 2008 Medicare Part D information.

Addendum 7  Prescription Drug Plans in Alaska

• Updates the Medicare Part D 2008 Prescription Drug Plans that are available for dual eligibles in Alaska.