Medi-Cal Evidence of Citizenship Kevin M Aslanian Executive

Medi-Cal Evidence of Citizenship Kevin M. Aslanian, Executive Director CCWRO COALITION OF CALIFORNIA WELFARE RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS 1901 ALHAMBRA BLVD. SACRAMENTO, VA 95816 -7012 TEL. : (916) 736 -0616 CELL: (916) 712 -0071

Federal Authorities n n Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 42 USC §§ 1396 b(I)(22) & 1396 b(x) 42 CFR § 435. 407 Federal Register 7/12/06, page 39214

State Laws & Rules n AB 1807, Statutes of 2006, Ch. 74 n W&IC §§ 14100. 2; 14011. 2 & 14043. 46 n DHS ACL 07 -12, June 4, 2007 n http: //www. dhs. ca. gov/mcs/mcpd/MEB/ACLs/Index/2 007 ACWDLs/10 thru 19. htm

Before DRA n n Certify citizenship No verification required

Coming Soon- Now n n n Many “born in the USA” have to provide proof. Federal law - Effective 7/1/06. DHS recently issued the ACL 6/4/07. Most counties are gearing up. LEADER, Cal. WIN, C-4 has to be programmed - millions need to be spent.

What About Immigrants? Good News n n n Equal Treatment. Immigrants already have to verify alien status. No new documentation needed- stay the course.

Who Does Not Have To Verify n n n Immigrants. SSI recipients. SSA recipients. Deemed eligible infants born to a U. S. Citizen. Foster care. Adoption Assistance / Kin. GAP recipients.

Who Does Not Have To Verify n Presumptive Eligibility for n n n 1. Pregnant Women. 2. Breast & Cervical Cancer Treatment. 3. Healthy Families

Medi-Cal Applicants n n n Applicants have to prove citizenship. Applicants who provide verification will receive full-scope Medi-Cal. Applicants who refuse to provide verification are ENTITLED to restricted Medi-Cal benefits.

How Often To Verify? n n n This is a one-time activity. CWD’s shall check CA birth records. Once verified, it is in MEDS - which is not LEADER, Cal. WIN or C-4.

What Do Counties Have To Do? n n n Provide all applicants with a DHCS 0001. Provide all applicants with a DHCS 0002. Provide these forms in all MC 210 RV packets.

Acceptable Verification n n Tier 1 - Passport or Naturalization certification. Tier 2 - Birth certificate. Tier 3 - Hospital record or life / health insurance record. Tier 4 - Statement signed by doctor/ midwife. Written affidavit of person having personal knowledge of the birth.

Opportunity to Provide n n n What is “reasonable opportunity to provide”? Case by case time frame determination. If refusing to get verification, then eligible for restricted benefits.

County Assistance n n n CWD’s required to assist. CWD not required to pay for documents. Tell clients how to get the information. CWD required to look into MEDS to see if the county has the verification after the applicant fails to provide. ADVOCACY CHALLENGE: CWD shall check the MEDS screen for all applicants before asking applicants to get the information that the county already has.

Redetermination n SB 87 still stands. Benefits continue so long as recipient is making a “good effort”. CWD required to check MEDS if the recipient dos not have the verification.

What Does CWD Have To Do? n n If recipient (“R”) born in CA, do the MEDS inquiry. If former “R”, review welfare case files for verification. If received welfare in other county, contact other county. Telephone “R”, ask for verification.

What Does CWD Have To Do? n n If “R” does not respond to TC, mail a DHCS 0006. If “R” does not respond, CWD has to do another TC to “R”. All this has to be documented in the case file by the welfare worker. If no verification and no good effort - CWD mails a 10 -day NOA stopping Medi-Cal.

Outreach to Medi-Cal “R” n CDHS will be mailing “R” a form explaining the change and what is needed.

Document Establishing Identity n Persons who do not have Tier 1 have to have tier 2 through 5 and verify identity. n n n Driver’s License. U. S. military I. D. Tribal documents with a picture. School I. D. card with a picture. Affidavit of parent/guardian for children under 16.