STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

Date:              April 20, 2007

Subject:         Family Medicaid Manual Change #34

This manual change includes the aligned education income policy and updates the income eligibility standards announced by broadcast on November 29, 2006.  As part of an ongoing effort to align income and resource policies across programs, to the extent possible we have presented education income policy in the same format and language in the Adult Public Assistance, Alaska Temporary Assistance, and Food Stamp program manuals.  For Family Medicaid, this means countable education assistance is now prorated over the period of its intended use.  We have also clarified that education assistance is treated the same way, regardless of whether it is provided to an undergraduate student or a graduate student.  This applies to all applications and reviews processed on or after December 1, 2006.
 

This change also includes the program’s annual Cost of Living Allowance ( COLA Cost of Living Allowance ) adjustments. Each year the Family Medicaid income eligibility standards are adjusted by the same percentage as the COLA Cost of Living Allowance increase in Social Security benefits.  This year the COLA Cost of Living Allowance increase is 3.3%.  This manual change incorporates the 2007 standards, which become effective with the benefit month of January 2007.  In addition, it updates the Income Standards in Addendums 1 and 2, as a result of the increase in Alaska Federal Poverty Guidelines on April 1, 2007 announced by broadcast on February 28, 2007.  

Several minor clarifications and technical changes are also included. Highlights of these policy revisions are described below.  If you have any questions please contact any member of the Policy and Program Development Team at 465-3347 or email dpapolicy@health.state.ak.us.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES
 

MS 5000-2 Purpose of this Manual

• Removed paragraph explaining how the manual is organized into five parts.  This no longer applies.

• Changed references from Division of Medical Assistance to the Division of Health Care Services.  
   

• Changed contacting the DMA Beneficiary Eligibility Unit via e-mail to the DPApolicy e-mail address.

MS 5006-1 - Notice of Decision Required

Removed paragraph referencing the SSI Supplemental Security Income / APA Adult Public Assistance related notices.  This information is included in the Aged, Disabled and Long Term Care Medicaid Manual.

MS 5011 - U.S. United States Citizenship and Eligible Alien Status

Added three additional groups to the list of individuals who are exempt from the requirement to provide proof of U.S. United States citizenship and identity.

MS 5020-B - Financial Eligibility

Deleted references to APA Adult Public Assistance -related Medicaid policy that are included in the Aged, Disabled and Long Term Care Medicaid Manual.  Replaced with Family Medicaid polices that do not apply to Under 21 and Denali KidCare.  These policies were formerly located in MS Manual Section 5020-C.

MS 5120-2(C)(2) - Parental Relationship

Removed "Special Note" concerning processing the BVS Bureau of Vital Statistics affidavit of paternity when the deprivation reason changes.  This process no longer applies.

MS 5161-3 - Loans
Revised to present loan policy in the same format and language used by other program manuals.

MS 5161-4 - Work-Study Earned Income
Revised to present work-study earned income policy in the same format and language used by other program manuals.

MS 5162-4 -  Education Assistance

• Revised to present policy in the same format and language as in the Adult Public Assistance, Alaska Temporary Assistance, and Food Stamp program manuals.

• Clarified that all countable education assistance will be prorated over the period of its intended use.  This applies to all applications and reviews processed on or after December 1, 2006.
   

• Clarified that education assistance is treated the same way, regardless of whether it is received by an undergraduate student or a graduate student.  
   

MS 5195 - Individuals Under Title IV-E Foster Care and Adoption Assistance

Changed references from Division of Family and Youth Services to Office of Children's Services.

MS 5450 - Individual Under 21 in Custody of the State

• Changed references from Division of Family and Youth Services to the Office of Children's Services.  
   

• Changed reference for notifying DPA Division of Public Assistance of any court-ordered payments or any health insurance available to the child to the Division of Health Care Services Third Party Liability Unit.

MS 5460 - Eligibility Under State-Only Adoption Assistance Agreement

• Changed references from Division of Family and Youth Services to Office of Children's Services ( OCS Office of Children's Services ).  
   

• Removed duplicated OCS Office of Children's Services address that is in 5460(C) EIS Eligibility Information System Information.

Addendum 1 - Denali KidCare

Updated program standards to reflect the Poverty Guidelines for Alaska effective April 1, 2007.

Addendum 2 – Family Medicaid Income Standards

Updated program standards to reflect the COLA Cost of Living Allowance changes for 2007.