Informs counties that all pregnant women are exempt from the MSR requirement (see ACL 03-41). To qualify for the exemption, pregnant women must report their pregnancy to the county eligibility worker. DHS plans to revise the MSR form (MC 176 S) at a later date to reflect this new guideline. [Download]
Summaries of select CalWORKs, CalFresh, Health and Housing Regulations
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ACL 04-39 – CalWORKs Income Reporting Threshold (IRT) Chart (November 2, 2004)
Here’s the IRT chart for 2004. (This is the amount of income which triggers the mandatory CalWORKs mid-quarter income report). The ACL reminds counties they must send an informing notice that provides the IRT limits, individualized for each CalWORKs case, (1) at least once a quarter; (2) at redetermination/recertification; (3) anytime there are changes in the CalWORKs AU or Family MAP size; (4) when there is a change of persons who are required to report income; and (5) upon recipient request. And whenever the IRT chart is updated. In other words, constantly! [Download]
ACL 04-48 – Final CalWORKs WTW Learning Disabilities Regulations (October 29, 2004)
This officially transmits the regs, which have been effective since September 15, 2004. What’s new are the Q & A’s attached. Answers like “you must offer the LD screen to exempt adults if they volunteer, to those who are already working, and 16-17 year olds who lose their student exemption” and more. And yes, Virginia, you must provide a copy of the evaluation to the recipient. [Download]
DSS ACL 04-14 – Continuation of Medi-Cal Benefits in CalWORKs Intercounty Transfer Cases (April 14, 2004)
This is the companion letter to the DHS ACL [03-12] issued in February 2003. Provides instructions to counties to ensure Medi-Cal benefits continue for cases that are both discontinued from the CalWORKs Program and transferred to another county. Clarifies that counties cannot require individuals to reapply for Medi-Cal or complete a redetermination based solely on the family moving from one county to another. Announces a new DSS form (CW 215A) to be used by the receiving county to request documentation needed to determine the family’s continued Medi-Cal eligibility when the CalWORKs cash aid case is not continued in the receiving county. [Download]
DHS ACL 04-06 – Mid-Year Status Report Implementation (March 2, 2004)
Provides Questions and Answers about implementation of the new Mid-Year Status Report (MSR) requirement. Addresses how counties should process the MSRs, which groups are exempt, and what timelines apply. Clarifies that no exempt beneficiaries (such as children, elderly, and disabled) should lose Medi-Cal when a non-exempt household member fails to return the form. The letter also clarifies that documentation is not required with the MSR and that a beneficiary who is put back on Medi-Cal after termination due to a MSR issue can get retroactive coverage up to three months. [Download]
DHS ACL 04-03 – Medicare-Approved Prescription Drug Discount Card Program (March 1, 2004)
Informs counties that the new Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 signed into law on December 8, 2003 will provide Medicare beneficiaries discounts on prescription drugs through a discount card program with a $600 annual subsidy for certain low-income individuals and prescription drug coverage. For more information about the discount drug card program and the subsidy, go to CalMedicare.org.
The new drug coverage begins in January 2006 and is referred to as Medicare Part D. In 2006, dual eligibles (persons with Medi-Cal and Medicare) will receive their prescription drug coverage through Medicare Part D. This letter just hints at how the new Medicare drug coverage will impact Medi-Cal beneficiaries. It’s safe to say that major changes are in store for Medi-Cal beneficiaries and how they get their prescription drugs. Watch for more information and guidance on Medicare Part D for dual eligibles. [Download]