This letter contains two revised eligibility sections. One specifies Native American property which is considered exempt for CMSP eligibility determinations. The other clarifies that SDI lump sum payments are included in the CMSP property reserve. [Download]

Citizens of Palau are now listed as islanders who can live, work, and study in the US without restrictions. Most advancements or reimbursements are now excluded as income. The way counties notify Blue Cross and DHCS of other health care terminations has been modified. [Download]

Under ARRA eligible individuals will have their COBRA premiums reduced to 35% of the premium with the federal government paying the other 65%. CMSP will exempt the COBRA premium reduction or reimbursement as income or property for CMSP eligibility determinations. CMSP applicants/ beneficiaries need to provide proof of the start date of the premium assistance and the amount of assistance they are eligible for. [Download]

CMSP will not makes changes to the “optional” benefits that are being eliminated from the Medi-Cal program for most adults. In fact effective 10/08 CMSP added general anesthesia and crowns to their dental benefits and upped the vision benefit to include unlimited repair of eyeglasses and frames. As of 1/1/09 the mental health benefits were increased from a three day limit per inpatient hospital admission to 6 days per admission; the 10 day yearly cap did not change. Blue Cross is now Anthem Blue Cross. [Download]

This letter includes long awaited updated pages of the CMSP eligibility manual. [Download]

Several ARRA related payments will be excluded from income determination by CMSP. The payments are: Unemployment insurance benefits increase of $25; one time payment of $250 to SS, SSI, Veterans disability payment and railroad retirement recipients; $250 tax credit for state and federal employees. [Download]