DHCS has instructed counties to evaluate all RMA beneficiaries for eligibility for MAGI and Covered California back to January 1, 2014.  New RMA applicants will be screened for Medi-Cal up to 138%, 8 months of RMA from 138% to 200%, and Covered California above 200%.

For current RMA beneficiaries whose 8 month time limit has not expired, counties must restore eligibility back to 1/1/14 for those who would have been eligible for MAGI Medi-Cal; those who are not eligible for MAGI or for other Medi-Cal linkage will be assessed for Covered California APTCs once their eight month eligibility period has run.  Reviews should be ex parte to the fullest extent possible, with requests for information used only if counties can not get the information through available sources.

For RMA/RCA cases closed after 1/1/14, counties must redetermine them for MAGI or Covered California eligibility.

RCA beneficiaries must stay in the RCA aid code for the full eight months until further notice.  DHCS ACWDL 15-16 (3/20/15).

DHCS has provided instructions on how the county should enter income information when applicants enter both or neither current monthly income or projected annual income.  Currently, CalHEERS and SAWS are not programmed with appropriate changes for projected annual income.  The letter includes information on how to deal with certain situations.  DHCS MEDIL I 15-07 (3/9/15).

In this letter, DHCS walks through the various efforts the state has made to expedite processing and eligibility for applicants waiting for eligibility determinations throughout the ACA era.  Of the described batches, the state is still processing the following batches:

• Processing applications for short term negative actions due to the absence of such functionality in CalHEERS;
• Transition to Medi-Cal cases from Covered California annual redetermination period; and
• Accelerated enrollment for cases that have not been processed within 45 days since the second open enrollment period.

The letter includes a graph describing each batch process and relevant state instruction letters.  DHCS MEDIL I 15-05 (3/5/15).

As of March 2, 2015, the online CalHEERS application portal has been changed to be more consumer friendly and in line with the paper application.  This DHCS letter explains that changes were made to simplify language and improve applicant understanding by putting some information front and center and making links available in easier places.  The changes include:

• Asking questions about whether applicant qualifies for subsidies up front;
• Links to information about the Deemed Infant Program, the Former Foster Youth program, and programs for pregnant women;
• Updating the household information section to clarify what documentation is required;
• Preventing the entry of contradictory tax information; and
• Offering the opportunity to register online to vote.

Paper applications are being reviewed and will be printed when approved.  DHCS MEDIL I 15-04 (3/4/15).