DHCS has issued a letter to clarify eligibility guidelines for foster care youth who leave court-ordered placements. While loss of contact with the youth may discontinue foster care payments, that youth may be in other Medi-Cal aid codes and must not be discontinued simply due to loss of contact.
During ex parte review of Medi-Cal cases, workers should determine if the foster care youth is still under jurisdiction of the court; if so, the youth should be placed in the appropriate Medi-Cal only aid code not associated with a foster care payment. If the foster care youth is still under the court’s jurisdiction, that youth should stay in the appropriate aid code regardless of whether the youth is located. Foster care youth are not required to enroll into managed care unless in a COHS county.
The letter runs down scenarios about whether a foster care youth is located, where that youth is located, and whether the youth is under jurisdiction of the court.
DHCS ACWDL 16-20 (September 1, 2016).