STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #61
MANUAL: Aged, Disabled and Long Term Care Medicaid Eligibility Manual
DATE: December 1, 2022
This year Social Security announced a Cost of Living Allowance (COLACost of Living Allowance) increase effective January 2023. We have updated Addendum 1 and the examples throughout the manual with the following items to reflect the 8.7% increase for 2023:
- An increase to the Long Term Care community spouse resource and income allowance and household member standards;
- An increase to the Excess Home Equity resources maximum;
- An increase to the Special Long Term Care Income Standard;
- Changes in Medicare Part A and B premiums; and
- Changes in Medicare Part D premium and coverage information, including changes to the Low-Income Subsidy program
We have made several changes to clarify existing policy as a result of policy questions or suggestions from the field. An overview of the changes are listed below.
If you have any questions, please contact the Policy & Program Development Team at hss.dpa.policy@alaska.gov.
OVERVIEW OF CHANGES
ENTIRE MANUAL
- Changed all references from DHSSDepartment of Health and Social Services to DOHDepartment of Health
520 B When an Application is Required
- Added new subsection to clarify when an application is required
- Renumbered section
520 C When an Application is Not Required
- Added new subsection to clarify when an application is not required
- Renumbered section
520 D Proof of Qualified Alien Status
- Removed link to NCOSC website that no longer provides the information needed in this section. Updated to USCIS website.
521 Coordination with the FFMFederally Facilitated Marketplace
- Added new section regarding coordination with the FFMFederally Facilitated Marketplace
- Clarified when an individual is found ineligible for Medicaid (denial or closure), their information must be electronically transferred to the FFMFederally Facilitated Marketplace. So they can determine their eligibility for a Qualified Health Plan (QHP). Individuals who are found ineligible for Medicaid due e to procedural reasons and those who do not attest to U.S. citizenship or lawfully present non-citizen status should not be referred to the FFMFederally Facilitated Marketplace.
533 D Case Processing
- Removed note indicating retroactive Medicaid is not available for TEFRATax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act, P.L. 97-248
554 D Look Back Period
- Updated example due to COLACost of Living Allowance change
570 E Individuals not Subject to Cost of Care
- Updated ATAPAlaska Temporary Assistance Program ANIAdult Not Included standard due to COLACost of Living Allowance change
- Revised section to clarify that the caseworker will determine eligibility without a deduction if the expense is not verified within 30 days of the initial application filing date. If verification is provided at a later date, the change is effective the first day of the month of the agency's receipt of the report of change
- Added link to APA MS 480-3(C)
570 H Nursing Home Examples
- Updated example due to COLACost of Living Allowance change
570 J Home and Community Based Waiver Case Examples
- Updated example due to COLACost of Living Allowance change
580 D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) Program
- Updated subsidy information
ADDENDUM 1
- Updated standards due to COLACost of Living Allowance change
- Updated Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D premiums for 2023
- Updated 2023 Spousal Impoverishment Standards