WSR 05-13-170

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Medical Assistance Administration)

[ Filed June 21, 2005, 4:13 p.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 04-17-106.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 388-505-0220 Family medical eligibility.

     Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East (behind Goodyear Courtesy Tire), Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, on July 26, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than July 27, 2005.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, e-mail fernaax@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5:00 p.m., July 26, 2005.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Stephanie Schiller, DSHS Rules Consultant, by July 22, 2005, TTY (360) 664-6178 or phone (360) 664-6097 or by e-mail at schilse@dshs.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The department is amending the rule to add language that persons receiving tribal TANF also receive Medicaid and clarifying that an adult meeting Medicaid criteria cannot be determined as eligible for a family Medicaid program unless the household includes a child eligible for and receiving Medicaid.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: It would eliminate confusion over the policy and reduce requests for policy clarification.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.09.530.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.09.530.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Joanie Scotson, P.O. Box 45535, Olympia, WA 98504-5534, (360) 725-1330.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. There is no impact on small businesses.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Client eligibility rules are exempt under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii).

June 16, 2005

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

3545.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 02-17-030, filed 8/12/02, effective 9/12/02)

WAC 388-505-0220   Family medical eligibility.   (1) A person is eligible for categorically needy (CN) medical assistance when they are:

     (a) Receiving temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) cash benefits;

     (b) Receiving Tribal TANF;

     (c) Receiving cash diversion assistance, except SFA relatable families, described in chapter 388-222 WAC;

     (((c))) (d) Eligible for TANF cash benefits but choose not to receive; or

     (((d))) (e) Not eligible for or receiving TANF cash assistance, but meet the eligibility criteria for aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) in effect on July 16, 1996 except that:

     (i) Earned income is treated as described in WAC 388-450-0210; and

     (ii) Resources are treated as described in WAC 388-470-0005 for applicants and ((WAC 388-470-0050 and)) 388-470-0026 for recipients.

     (2) An adult cannot receive family medical unless the household includes a child who is eligible for:

     (a) Family medical;

     (b) SSI; or

     (c) Children's Medicaid.

     (3) A person is eligible for CN family medical coverage when the person is not eligible for or receiving cash benefits solely because the person:

     (a) Received sixty months of TANF cash benefits or is a member of an assistance unit which has received sixty months of TANF cash benefits;

     (b) Failed to meet the school attendance requirement in chapter 388-400 WAC;

     (c) Is an unmarried minor parent who is not in a department-approved living situation;

     (d) Is a parent or caretaker relative who fails to notify the department within five days of the date the child leaves the home and the child's absence will exceed ninety days;

     (e) Is a fleeing felon or fleeing to avoid prosecution for a felony charge, or is a probation and parole violator;

     (f) Was convicted of a drug related felony;

     (g) Was convicted of receiving benefits unlawfully;

     (h) Was convicted of misrepresenting residence to obtain assistance in two or more states;

     (i) Has gross earnings exceeding the TANF gross income level; or

     (j) Is not cooperating with WorkFirst requirements.

     (((3))) (4) An adult must cooperate with the division of child support in the identification, use, and collection of medical support from responsible third parties, unless the person meets the medical exemption criteria described in WAC 388-505-0540 or the medical good cause criteria described in chapter 388-422 WAC.

     (((4))) (5) Except for a client described in WAC 388-505-0210 (4)(c)(i) and (ii), a person who is an inmate of a public institution, as defined in WAC 388-500-0005, is not eligible for CN or MN medical coverage.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.09.080, and 74.09.415. 02-17-030, § 388-505-0220, filed 8/12/02, effective 9/12/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, [74.04.]055, and [74.04.]057. 01-11-110, § 388-505-0220, filed 5/21/01, effective 6/21/01; 98-16-044, § 388-505-0220, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-507-0740 and 388-522-2210.]

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