This manual letter incorporates bulletin #10-68-12 “Fostering Connections Guidance and Changes to Foster Care for Youth Ages 18-21,” adds citizenship and identity verification information from bulletins #10-21-13 “MMIS Changes to Support MinnesotaCare Citizenship and Immigration Status Verification Requirements,” and #10-21-14 “Changes to Streamline Citizenship and Immigration Status Verification for Minnesota Health Care Programs.”
Additionally, the manual letter updates annual changes for 2011 and lists new and revised material for the Health Care Programs Manual. Unless otherwise noted, new and revised instructions are effective December 1, 2010.
Chapter 03 - Eligibility Groups and Bases of Eligibility.
Revisions to this chapter incorporate bulletin #10-68-12 “Fostering Connections Guidance and Changes to Foster Care for Youth Ages 18-21.”
Chapter 04 - Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefits.
Updated sections for 2011 annual changes.
Chapter 11 - Citizenship and Immigration Status.
Revisions to this chapter incorporate citizenship and identity documentation information from bulletins #10-21-13 “MMIS Changes to Support MinnesotaCare Citizenship and Immigration Status Verification Requirements,” and #10-21-14 “Changes to Streamline Citizenship and Immigration Status Verification for Minnesota Health Care Programs.”
Chapter 12 - Certification of Disability.
Updates a form used in the SMRT referral process.
Chapter 13 - State and County Residence.
Addition clarifies GAMC residency requirements.
Minor updates to multiple sections.
Chapter 21 - Income Calculation (Community).
Updated sections for 2011 annual changes.
Chapter 22 - Standards and Guidelines.
Updated sections for 2011 annual changes.
Chapter 23 - MA Payment of Long-Term Care Services.
Addition made to notice requirements.
Updates made to two sections of this chapter.
Information added on notices sent to MA-EPD enrollees.
Chapter 30 - Other Related Programs.
Information added on high-risk insurance plans.
Includes revised terms.
Chapter 03 - Eligibility Groups and Bases of Eligibility
l Section 03.25.20 - Medical Assistance for Children in Foster Care.
Updates to this section incorporate information on youth in foster care from bulletin #10-68-12.
Chapter 04 - Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefits
l Section 04.15 - Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The individual maximum payment amount will remain at $674 and the couple maximum payment amount will remain at $1,011 for 2011.
l Section 04.40.10 - Medicare Part B.
The list of 2011 Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) that subsidize Part B premiums is updated.
l Section 04.40.20.05 - Medicare Part D Benchmark Plans.
n 2011 Medicare Part D Benchmark Plans are listed.
n 2010 Benchmark Plans not available in 2011 are listed.
l Section 04.45.05 - Medicare Part D and Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP).
The link to the 2011 Amounts in Excess of the Benchmark to Apply as Medical Expense is updated.
Chapter 11 - Citizenship and Immigration Status
l Section 11.05 - U.S. Citizenship and Identity Verification Requirements.
This revised section clarifies the U.S. Citizenship and Identity Verification Requirements. Additions incorporate bulletin #10-21-14 “Changes to Streamline Citizenship and Immigration Status Verification for Minnesota Health Care Programs.”
l Section 11.05.05 - Sources of Citizenship and Identity Verification.
This section provides information about the various sources of citizenship documentation and the order of preferred usage. Information added about electronic sources of citizenship verification such as the Social Security Administration (SSA) data match and Electronic Verification of Vital Events (EVVE). Also incorporates a list of acceptable documents a client may provide to verify citizenship and identity.
l Section 11.05.10 - Process for Verifying U.S. Citizenship and Identity.
Additions to this section incorporate bulletin #10-21-13 “MMIS Changes to Support MinnesotaCare Citizenship and Immigration Status Verification Requirements.” This section details the citizenship verification processes for MA, MinnesotaCare and MFPP.
Note: Changes to the All or Nothing Rule announced in bulletin #10-21-13 will be incorporated in a future manual letter.
Chapter 12 - Certification of Disability
l Section 12.10 - State Medical Review Team (SMRT) Disability Determinations.
New form used in disability determinations by SMRT.
Chapter 13 - State and County Residence
l Section 13.10 - State Residence - GAMC.
Additions emphasize the applicant’s or enrollee’s intent to remain in Minnesota. Also, information on GHO removed from this section.
l Section 19.25.15 - Real Property.
Modifications clarify joint tenancy.
l Section 19.25.30.10 - Naming DHS a Preferred Remainder Beneficiary.
Updates to this section clarify the effective date of MA payment of LTC services if a person cooperates in naming DHS a Preferred Remainder Beneficiary after a period of ineligibility has been imposed.
l Section 19.40.30 - Determining Transfer Penalty.
Note added to clarify proper use of the SAPSNF.
l Section 19.55 - Long-Term Care (LTC) Home Equity Limit.
Information regarding notice requirements removed from this section. This information was moved to Chapter 23 in manual letter 37.
Chapter 21 - Income Calculation (Community)
l Section 21.50.15.05 - Pickle Disregard Cost of Living (COLA) Chart.
The Pickle Disregard computation factor remains at 1 for 2011 because there is no change in the RSDI amount for this year.
l Section 21.50.40 - Blind or Disabled Student Child Disregard.
The maximum disregard amounts for 2011 remain at $1,640 per month and $6,600 per year.
Chapter 22 - Standards and Guidelines
l Section 22.10 - Special Income Standard (SIS).
The Special Income Standard for 2011 remains at $2,022 per month.
l Section 22.40 - Minimum/Maximum Asset Allowance.
The minimum asset allowance for 2011 remains at $31,094 and the maximum asset allowance for 2011 remains at $109,560.
l Section 22.45 - Long-Term Care (LTC) Allowances.
n The personal needs allowance for 2011 remains at $89.
n The maximum monthly income allowance for a community spouse for 2011 remains at $2,739.
l Section 22.50 - Remedial Care Expense.
The Remedial Care Expense amount for January 1, 2011, through June 30, 2011, remains at $258.
l Section 22.55 - Medicare Cost Sharing Amounts.
n Medicare Part A cost sharing amounts for 2011 are listed.
n Medicare Part B cost sharing amounts for 2011 are listed.
n Medicare Part D cost sharing amounts for 2011 are listed.
l Section 22.60 - Social Security Administration (SSA) Period Life Table.
Updated amounts were effective April 1, 2010.
Chapter 23 - MA Payment of Long-Term Care Services
l Section 23 - MA Payment of Long-Term Care Services.
Addition to this chapter clarifies notice requirements.
l Section 25.05.10 - Premium Payment Options.
Clarifies premium payment options for MinnesotaCare enrollees.
l Section 25.05.35 - Premium Exemption for Military Members and Their Families.
This section updated to remove the end date of the exemption. The premium exemption for military families continues.
l Section 26 - Notices.
Information on MA-EPD notice for enrollees approaching age 65 added to this chapter.
Chapter 30 - Other Related Programs
l Section 30.00.05 - Summary Chart.
l Section 30.10 - Medical Needs.
Contact information for the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association (MCHA) updated and information on the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) added to both sections.
l Foster Care (Revised).
l Foster Child (Revised).