DHCS ACWDL 14-15: Processing Change of Circumstances Redeterminations for Pre-Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medi-Cal Beneficiaries (3/28/14)

As of 3/24/14, CalHEERS is able to process change of circumstance redeterminations.  This letter directs counties to proceed with converting old potential MAGI-linked cases to MAGI cases using the instructions contained therein.  This is not to affect existing pre-ACA cases until their 2014 annual redetermination.

If a pre-ACA case submits a change of circumstance, the county will request additional tax household information and process for MAGI eligibility through CalHEERS.  If MAGI-eligible, the county will review the determination for potential negative action (e.g., ineligibility, share of cost, restricted scope of benefits) before approving for MAGI Medi-Cal.

The letter also presents a list of new Medi-Cal aid codes and their corresponding pre-MAGI codes.

DHCS ACWDL 14-14: Implementation of the Hospital Presumptive Eligibility (HPE) Program

This letter provides preliminary information on Hospital Presumptive Eligibility.  Effective January 1, 2014, qualified hospitals can temporarily enroll certain individuals into MAGI Medi-Cal.  Application is by one-page attestation, and qualified hospitals complete the process through online Hospital PE portal; eligibility is made in real time.

Enrollment is limited to once per 12-month period for 60 days of HPE coverage; pregnant women are permitted one HPE period per pregnancy for ambulatory prenatal services.  HPE providers are required to provide HPE individuals an insurance application prior to leaving the hospital, which must be completed no later than the end of the next month.  HPE eligible individuals will receive full-scope Medi-Cal benefits unless eligibility is based on pregnancy.

DHCS MEDIL I-14-21: Statement of Citizenship, Alienage and Immigration Status Form (MC 13) Under the Affordable Care Act

This letter, available here, clarifies when counties should send the MC 13 for immigration status.  Applicants who claims to be citizens/nationals or have adequate immigration status on their applications will be run through the federal data hub in CalHEERS.  If status can be verified this way, the MC 13 is not necessary, and the county can grant full-scope benefits.  If status cannot be verified through the hub, applicants will be provided a 90-day reasonable opportunity period to resolve the matter before having benefits reduced.

CMSP ACL 14-02: CMSP Policy on Determination of Other Health Coverage Under Expanded Medi-Cal and Covered California

Earlier this year, the CMSP Governing Board issued guidance regarding eligibility for CMSP after the expansion of Medi-Cal and implementation of Covered California.  All applicants will be considered for MAGI Medi-Cal and Covered California before being evaluated for CMSP.  For full details, read the letter here.

For applications subject to the Covered California open enrollment period, applicants not otherwise eligible for Medi-Cal must provide evidence to the county of a Covered California application and, when required, evidence of the first month’s premium payment.

  • Applicants who provide the evidence will receive CMSP coverage for the period between the application date and the start of Covered California coverage.
  • Applicants who fail to provide evidence will be denied eligibility for CMSP due to non-compliance.  The start date of CMSP aid will be the first of the month after Covered California enrollment ends.

For applications not subject to the Covered California open enrollment period, applicants not otherwise eligible for Medi-Cal must provide evidence that any Covered California coverage was terminated due to lack of monthly premium payment and attestation that no special circumstances for enrollment exist.

  • If no special circumstances exist, the county will determine an applicant’s CMSP eligibility.
  • If a special circumstance exists, the applicant must provide evidence of application to Covered California and evidence of the first month’s premium payment.
  • If no evidence is provided, the county will deny the CMSP application.