STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER:  MC Manual Change #48

MANUAL:  Family Medicaid

DATE:  January 3, 2011

We are making several changes to incorporate new policy, clarify existing policy, and align policies within our program policy manuals.  These changes include:

1. • A dependent child and caretaker may still be considered as living together if the caretaker is temporarily absent from the home for a planned temporary absence.  To the extent possible, this policy now aligns with Temporary Assistance program's planned temporary absence policy.

1. • An applicant's resources are measured as of the date of the interview.  This policy now aligns with Food Stamp and Temporary Assistance policy.

Other changes are either technical in nature or clarifications that are the result of policy questions or suggestions from the field.

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

5120-5B(4)  Planned Temporary Absence

1. • Adds new policy that considers a dependent child and caretaker to be living together if the caretaker is temporarily absent from the home for a planned temporary absence, including employment, seeking employment, and military assignment.  

5120-5C  Verification of Temporary Absence

1. • Clarifies that verification of an absence lasting a calendar month or longer is not required unless the information regarding the absence is questionable.

5150-6  When Resource Values are Measured

1. • Clarifies that an applicant's resources are measured as of the date of the interview.

5163-2  Flexible Health Benefits

1. • Moves policy on flexible health benefits from section 5172-2 to section 5163-2.
   • Renumbers the following sections to align more closely with the organization of the other program manuals.

5164-2C  Examples Clarifying the Use of the Standard Expense Deduction

1. • Adds examples to clarify of when the standard self-employment deduction should be used.

5172-2  Special Household Income Provisions

1. • Moves policy on flexible health benefits from section 5172 2D to section 5163-2.

5185-2A  New Member Enters Household

1. • Clarifies that children under age 19 may remain eligible for Medicaid through the end of their continuous eligibility period and pregnant women through the end of their post-partum period.

Addendum 2  Family Medicaid Income Standards

1. • Updates the year for program standards.  Because there was no Social Security COLA Cost of Living Allowance adjustment for 2011, the program standards remain the same as those for 2010.