STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:   MC Manual Change #38

MANUAL:  Family Medicaid

DATE:  October 15, 2008

In response to questions from field staff, we are clarifying household composition policy for Denali KidCare (including situations where parents apply for their own and common children) and providing examples.  We have also taken the opportunity to clarify several policy differences between the Family Medicaid, Under 21, and Denali KidCare categories.  Numerous technical changes are also included.

Highlights of these policy revisions are described below.  If you have any questions please contact the Policy and Program Development Team at 465-3382 or email dpapolicy@alaska.gov.

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

MS 5000-5 B  Caretaker Relationship

1. • Clarifies that the requirement to verify caretaker relationship only applies to the Family Medicaid category.

MS 5008    Retroactive Medicaid

1. • Clarifies that there is no time limit on requesting retroactive Medicaid.

MS 5020 B  Family Medicaid Policies that do not apply to Under 21 and DKC Denali KidCare

1. • Clarifies the difference in policy between Family Medicaid and Under 21 Medicaid or DKC Denali KidCare when deeming parental income for children living with their parents.  For Family Medicaid, parental deeming only applies to children under the age of 18.  For Under 21 Medicaid and Denali KidCare, parental deeming applies until the child reaches the age of 21.

   • Clarifies that anyone can apply on behalf of a child; caretaker relative restrictions do not apply to DKC Denali KidCare .

MS 5104-4 Optional Members

1. • Changes wording to improve readability.

MS 5120-6 Nontemporary Absences

1. • Clarifies that once a child is out of the home for 30 days, the parent’s income and resources will be excluded back to the application date.

   • Adds cross references to Administrative Procedures Manual sections that provide information on children living separately from their parents in a medical institution or treatment facility.

MS 5162-4 C  Budgeting Countable Education Income

1. • Adds reference to use the business mileage rate.

   • Adds IRS Internal Revenue Service website to get the current business mileage rate.

MS 5164-2 A    Allowable Costs of Doing Business

1. • Adds IRS Internal Revenue Service website to get the current business mileage rate.

MS 5310 A   General Eligibility Criteria

1. • Clarifies that the only time the child of unmarried parents may be included in the budget without counting the child’s deemed income from the other parent is in a pregnant woman eligibility determination.

MS 5310 C Continuation of Assistance from Other types of Medicaid

1. • Corrects the EIS Eligibility Information System Information box to indicate that the correct Medicaid subtype code will automatically be applied on the MIBW Medical Insurance Budget Worksheet and the MERE Medical Reference screen screen based on the household size and income.

MS 5340 B   Financial Eligibility Criteria

1. • Clarifies that only the $90 earned income deduction is allowed for DKC Denali KidCare .

   • Clarifies whose needs and income are considered in a DKC Denali KidCare budget and the rules for including and excluding income.

   • Clarifies that an unmarried couple may apply for their own and common children as a single household.

   • Adds a family example that includes a grandchild as an optional member.

   • Adds a blended family example showing all possible budgets.

Addendum 2   Family Medicaid Income Standards

1. • Removes the IRS Internal Revenue Service Mileage Allowance table from Addendum 2.