STATE OF ALASKA
Department of Health and Social Services
Division of Public Assistance
TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #39
MANUAL: Family Medicaid
DATE: December 1, 2008
Each year the Family Medicaid standards are adjusted by the same percentage as the COLA increase in Social Security benefits. This year the COLA increase is 5.8%. We have incorporated the 2009 standards in Addendum 2. These standards become effective with the benefit month of January 2009.
We made some language changes to the interview section of the Application Process chapter in conjunction with the other program manuals. We aligned policy about Native Restricted Lands with the Food Stamp, Adult Public Assistance, and Alaska Temporary Assistance programs to the extent possible. We also clarified several policy issues that were requested by field staff.
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 5005-4 E Conducting Interviews
Revises language that incorrectly implied an applicant had to come into a DPA Office for an interview.
MS 5005-4 F Changes Reported During the Interview
Revises language that incorrectly implied an applicant had to come into a DPA Office for an interview.
MS 5018 E Written Notice of Requirement to Apply
Clarifies the development of income policy regarding UIB , and points out the difference between applicant and recipient processing.
MS 5065 Third Party Liability and Recovery
Replaces references to specific offices and agencies with the words appropriate office or agency.
MS 5070-1 Caseworker Responsibility for TPL
Replaces references to specific offices and agencies with the words appropriate office or agency.
MS 5104-2 Household Combinations
Clarifies that only two-parent families can have more than one caretaker relative in the Medicaid household.
MS 5104-5 Children Receiving SSI or Foster Care Maintenance Payments
Clarifies that a caretaker relative can be a Medicaid recipient if they care for a dependent child who receives SSI .
MS 5154-1 A The Home in Which the Family Resides
Adds ANCSA lands to the exception for certain houses from income producing countable resources.
Clarifies that excluded income producing property could be other than the home, but situated on the home property.
MS 5154-1 B Native Restricted Land
Clarifies that land classified as Native Restricted Deeds is exempt as a resource because it cannot be transferred or sold without permission from other individuals, the tribe, or the BIA .
Revises the note to clarify that the BIA keeps records of Native Restricted Deeds.
Clarifies that any house or related structure that is permanently attached to the land is exempt even if it is not used as a home.
MS 5156-9 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act ( ANCSA ) Assets
Under D, clarifies that any house or related structure that is permanently attached to excluded ANCSA land is also excluded from resources.
Adds the statement that if the house is rented, the income will count for Medicaid.
MS 5162-4 C Budgeting Countable Educational Income
Instructs the worker to enter the prorated countable income on the UNIN screen and not on the EDWO screen when processing a Medicaid-only case.
MS 5163-5 Earned Income of a Dependent Child
Clarifies that the exemption for earnings of a dependent child who is a student continues during semester breaks and summer vacation.
Adds a reference to Section 5013 C.
MS 5330 Newborn Child Eligibility
Clarifies that a mother must be eligible for and receiving Medicaid in the birth month in order for Newborn coverage to be automatic.
MS 5350 Good Cause for Termination of Insurance
Clarifies that good cause determinations will be made by the Policy and Program Development Team.
Addendum 2 Family Medicaid Income Standards
Updates program standards to reflect the COLA changes for 2009.
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