Purpose: To continue the emergency rule that is in effect (WSR 03-14-060) while the permanent rule-making process is being completed. The permanent rule proposal (WSR 03-19-068) is scheduled for a public hearing on October 21, 2003. The purpose of the rule amendment is to initiate six-month reviews for family and children's medical programs and to eliminate continuous eligibility for children which was mandated by FY 2003 state supplemental budget.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-416-0015, 388-434-0005, 388-418-0025, and 388-418-0005.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.530, and State Supplemental Budget for FY 2003 (chapter 10, Laws of 2003).

     Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.

     Reasons for this Finding: Budget assumptions included in the FY 2003 supplemental budget (chapter 10, Laws of 2003) include savings that will result from policy changes affecting the rules listed in this order. Further, all changes that may be construed to result in more restrictive eligibility under the Medicaid program had to be implemented before September 2, 2003, to ensure state receipt of enhanced federal funding made available under the federal Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, HR.2. Observing the time requirements of regular rule-making procedures would prevent the department from implementing the changes in a timeframe that is required under the spending authority in the supplemental budget. It would, in addition, prevent implementation of the changes prior to the deadline to ensure receipt of the enhanced federal funding. Therefore, immediate adoption of the proposed amendments is necessary to implement the state Supplemental Budget Act and ensure receipt of enhanced federal funding of the Medicaid program.

     A proposed rule-making notice was filed as WSR 03-19-068, and the hearing for the permanent adoption of this rule was held October 21, 2003. The department anticipates filing a permanent rule-making order shortly.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 4, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 4, Repealed 0.
     Effective Date of Rule: October 23, 2003.

October 15, 2003

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

     (2) For a child eligible for the newborn medical program, the certification period begins on the child's date of birth and continues through the end of the month of the child's first birthday.

     (3) For a woman eligible for a medical program based on pregnancy, the certification period ends the last day of the month that includes the sixtieth day from the day the pregnancy ends.

     (4) For families((,)) and children((, and SSI-related persons,)) the certification period is ((twelve)) six months. When the medical assistance unit is also receiving benefits under a cash or food assistance program, the medical certification period is updated to begin anew at each:

     (a) Approved application for cash or food assistance; or

     (b) Completed eligibility review.

     (5) For an SSI-related person the certification period is twelve months.

     (6) When the child turns nineteen the certification period ends even if the ((twelve)) six-month period is not over. The certification period may be extended past the end of the month the child turns nineteen when:

     (a) The child is receiving inpatient services on the last day of the month the child turns nineteen;

     (b) The inpatient stay continues into the following month or months; and

     (c) The child remains eligible except for exceeding age nineteen.

     (((6))) (7) A retroactive certification period can begin up to three months immediately before the month of application when:

     (a) The client would have been eligible for medical assistance if the client had applied; and

     (b) The client received covered medical services as described in WAC 388-529-0100.

     (((7))) (8) If the client is eligible only during the three-month retroactive period, that period is the only period of certification.

     (((8))) (9) Any months of a retroactive certification period are added to the designated certification periods described in this section.

     (((9))) (10) For a child determined eligible for CHIP medical benefits as described in chapter 388-542 WAC:

     (a) The certification periods are described in subsections (1), (4), and (((5))) (6) of this section;

     (b) There is not a retroactive eligibility period as described in subsections (((6), (7), and (8))) (7), (8), and (9); and

     (c) For a child who has creditable coverage at the time of application, the certification period begins on the first of the month after the child's creditable coverage is no longer in effect, if:

     (i) All other CHIP eligibility factors are met; and

     (ii) An eligibility decision is made per WAC 388-406-0035.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090 and 74.09.450. 00-08-002, § 388-416-0015, filed 3/22/00, effective 5/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-416-0015, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly 388-509-0970, 388-521-2105, 388-522-2210 and 388-522-2230.]

     (2) When it is time for your eligibility review, the department requires you to complete a review form. We use the information you provide to determine your eligibility for all assistance programs.

     (3) If you complete an interview for assistance with a department representative and sign the printed application for benefits (AFB) form, you do not have to complete a separate review form.

     (4) For cash assistance, the eligibility review form or the AFB must be dated and signed by both husband and wife, or both parents of a child in common when the parents live together.

     (5) If you receive medical assistance only, the eligibility review form or the AFB must be signed by at least one parent when the parents live together.

     (6) We may move the date of your eligibility review if we decide your circumstances need to be reviewed sooner.

     (7) At your review, we look at:

     (a) All eligibility requirements under WAC 388-400-0005 through 388-400-0035, 388-503-0505 through 388-503-0515, and 388-505-0210 through 388-505-0220;

     (b) Changes that happened since we last determined your eligibility; and

     (c) Changes that are anticipated to happen during the next review period.

     (8) If you receive medical assistance only, we set your eligibility review date in advance under WAC 388-416-0005 through 388-416-0035. We will start the review process before your benefits end.

     (9) Clients are responsible for attending an interview if one is required under WAC 388-452-0005.

     (10) If you do not complete the eligibility review for cash assistance, you are considered to be withdrawing your request for continuing assistance((.)), therefore:

     (a) Your cash assistance benefits will end((.)); and

     (b) Your medical assistance will continue for ((twelve)) six consecutive months from the last:

     (i) Application;

     (ii) Eligibility review; or

     (iii) Food assistance application or recertification.

     (11) We must send you written notice under WAC 388-458-0005, 388-458-0010, and 388-450-0015 before assistance can be suspended, terminated, or a benefit error is established as a result of your eligibility review.

     (12) If you are currently receiving cash or medical assistance, and you are found to no longer be eligible for benefits, we will determine if you are eligible for other medical programs. Until we decide if you are eligible for ((other programs)) another program, your medical assistance will continue under WAC 388-418-0025 ((even if you request that your benefits end)).

     (13) When a client is determined to need necessary supplemental accommodation (NSA) under WAC ((388-200-1300)) 388-472-0010, we will help the client meet the requirements of this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 99-23-083, § 388-434-0005, filed 11/16/99, effective 1/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-434-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-522-2230.]

Table 1 - Cash Assistance and Food Assistance
Type of change to report when you or anyone in your assistance unit AU):	Do I have to report this change for cash assistance?	Do I have to report this change for food assistance?
(1) Starts to get money from a new source;	Yes	Yes
(2) Has unearned income that changed by more than twenty-five dollars from amount we budgeted;	Yes	Yes
(3) Moves into or out of your home, including newborns or if an AU member dies. This also includes when someone temporarily moves in or out;	Yes	Yes
(4) Moves to a new residence;	Yes	Yes
(5) Has a change in shelter costs;	Yes, but only if you went from having no shelter costs to having a shelter cost, or from having shelter costs to not having to pay anything. You don't have to report a change in the amount you pay.	Yes, report the change at your recertification. If your shelter costs go up, you could get more food assistance benefits. Report the change sooner to see if you will get more benefits.
(6) Gets married, divorced, or separated;	Yes	Yes
(7) Gets a vehicle;	Yes	Yes
(8) Has a disability that ends;	Yes	Yes
(9) Has countable resources that are more than the resource limits under WAC 388-470-0005;	Yes	Yes
(10) Gets a job or changes employers;	Yes	Yes
(11) Changes from part-time to full-time or full-time to part-time work. We use your employer's definition of part-time and full-time work;	Yes	Yes
(12) Has a change in hourly wage rate or salary;	Yes	Yes
(13) Stops working;	Yes	Yes
(14) Has a pregnancy that begins or ends;	Yes	No
(15) Has a change in uncovered medical expenses;	No	Yes, report this change only at your next eligibility review. If you are elderly or disabled and you have an increase in uncovered medical expenses, report this change sooner as you may be eligible to get more benefits.

Table 2 - Medical Assistance
Type of change to report when you or anyone in your assistance unit (AU):	Do I have to report this change for family medical assistance (i.e., TANF((/SFA))-related) and children's medical?	Do I have to report this change for ((children's medical and/or)) pregnancy medical?
(16) Starts to get money from a new source;	Yes	No
(17) Has unearned income that changed;	Yes	No
(18) Moves into or out of your home, including newborns or if an AU member dies. This also includes when someone temporarily moves in or out;	Yes	Yes
(19) Moves to a new residence;	Yes	Yes
(20) Has a change in shelter costs;	No	No
(21) Gets married, divorced, or separated;	Yes	No
(22) Gets a vehicle;	No	No
(23) Has a disability that ends;	No	No
(24) Has countable resources that are more than the resource limits under WAC 388-470-0005;	No	No
(25) Gets a job or changes employers;	Yes	No
(26) Changes from part-time to full-time or full-time to part-time work. We use your employer's definition of part-time and full-time work;	Yes	No
(27) Has a change in hourly wage rate or salary;	Yes	No
(28) Stops working;	Yes	No
(29) Has a pregnancy that begins or ends;	Yes	Yes
(30) Has a change in uncovered medical expenses.	((No)) Yes, but only if an AU member has spenddown.	Yes, but only if an AU member has a spenddown.

Table 3 - SSI-Related Medical Assistance and Long-Term Care
Type of change to report when you or anyone in your assistance unit (AU):	Do I have to report this change for SSI-related medical assistance?	Do I have to report this change for long-term care (i.e., COPES, CAP, or nursing home)
(31) Starts to get money from a new source;	Yes	Yes
(32) Has unearned income that changed;	Yes	Yes
(33) Has a change in earnings or stops working	Yes	Yes
(34) Moves into or out of your home, including newborns or if an AU member dies. This also includes when someone temporarily moves in or out;	Yes	Yes
(35) Moves to a new residence;	Yes	Yes
(36) Has a change in shelter costs;	No, unless you went from paying rent to not paying any rent. You do not need to report if your rent amount changes.	Yes, if client or community spouse live in their own home
(37) Gets married, divorced, or separated;	Yes	Yes
(38) Gets a vehicle;	Yes, but only if that person or their spouse gets SSI-related medical	Yes, but only if that person gets long-term care
(39) Has a disability that ends;	Yes	Yes
(40) Has countable resources that are more than the resource limits, under WAC 388-470-0005 or 388-513-1350;	Yes, but only if that person or their spouse get SSI-related medical	Yes, but only if that person gets long-term care
(41) Has a change in uncovered medical expenses.	Yes, but only if an AU member has a spenddown.	Yes.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.510. 01-11-109, § 388-418-0005, filed 5/21/01, effective 7/1/01; 99-23-034, § 388-418-0005, filed 11/10/99, effective 1/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-418-0005, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98.]

     (a) A CN Medicaid program; or

     (b) Any of the following cash grants:

     (i) TANF;

     (ii) SSI; or

     (iii) GA-X. See WAC 388-434-0005 for changes reported during eligibility review.

     (2) ((A child remains continuously eligible for CN Medicaid for a period of twelve months from the date of certification for medical benefits or last review, whichever is later. This applies unless the child:

     (a) Moves out of state;

     (b) Loses contact with the department or the department does not know the child's whereabouts;

     (c) Becomes an inmate of a public institution, including a correctional facility (refer to WAC 388-505-0210(5) for exceptions);

     (d) Turns nineteen years of age;

     (e) Dies; or

     (f) Receives benefits under the state children's health insurance program (SCHIP) and:

     (i) Does not pay health insurance premiums for four consecutive months; or

     (ii) Is determined to have had creditable coverage at the time of application. Refer to chapter 388-542 WAC.

     (3) When a client becomes)) If you become ineligible for refugee cash assistance, refugee medical assistance can be continued ((only)) through the eight-month limit, as described in WAC 388-400-0035(4).

     (((4) A client receiving medical benefits with))

     (3) If you receive a TANF cash grant or family medical ((program is)), you are eligible for a medical extension, as described under WAC 388-523-0100, when ((the client's)) your cash grant or family medical program is terminated as a result of:

     (a) Earned income; or

     (b) Collection of child or spousal support.

     (((5))) (4) A change in income during a certification period does ((not)) affect eligibility for all medical programs except:

     (a) Pregnant women's medical programs; ((or))

     (b) Children's medical for newborns F05); or

     (c) The first six months of the medical extension benefits.

     (((6))) (5) For a child receiving benefits under SCHIP as described in chapter 388-542 WAC, the department must redetermine eligibility for a Medicaid program when the family reports:

     (a) Family income has decreased to less than two hundred percent Federal Poverty Level (FPL);

     (b) The child becomes pregnant;

     (c) A change in family size; or

     (d) The child receives SSI.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.100, 74.09.080, and 74.09.415. 02-17-030, § 388-418-0025, filed 8/12/02, effective 9/12/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090 and 74.09.450. 00-08-002, § 388-418-0025, filed 3/22/00, effective 5/1/00. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057 and Section 4731 of the BBA (Public Law 105-33). 99-10-064, § 388-418-0025, filed 5/3/99, effective 6/3/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057 and 74.08.090. 98-16-044, § 388-418-0025, filed 7/31/98, effective 9/1/98. Formerly WAC 388-508-0840, 388-509-0920, 388-509-0960, 388-522-2205 and 388-522-2210.]

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office