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Effective: December 1, 2006 |
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07.15.15ar1 - Applications for Inmates (Archive) |
Archived: July 1, 2009 |
People scheduled for release from correctional institutions may apply for a Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) before their scheduled release date to facilitate prompt provision of health care coverage when they reenter the community. This helps assure continued treatment of chronic health conditions and successful transition to community life.
Inmate Application Assistance.
Processing the Application – Inmate.
Inmate Eligibility Begin Date.
Inmates may apply for health care 45 days before their scheduled release date.
Department of Corrections (DOC) case managers assist the inmate in completing the application for health care and the Individual Discharge Information Sheet (IDIS) (DHS-3443).
The DHS-3443 supplements the application. The form includes:
l A request for information on the inmate’s expected:
n Address.
n Employment.
n Other post-release information.
l A release of information to allow the sharing of information between the worker, the correctional case manager and the correctional field service agent.
The case manager sends the completed application and DHS-3443 to the county in which the inmate resided before entering the correctional system.
Exception: The completed forms will be sent to the county in which the inmate plans to live if the previous county of residence is unknown or the inmate came from another state.
Processing the Application - Inmate
Follow policy established in Processing Applications unless specified in this section.
l If the inmate anticipates receiving earned or unearned income, accept a statement of estimated income to determine eligibility.
l Determine eligibility in the following order:
n MA.
n GAMC.
n MinnesotaCare (MCRE).
l Inmates must meet state residency requirements. If the inmate entered the correctional facility from another state he or she would have to meet the state residency rules for MCRE and GAMC.
l Refer inmates who report a disability, but do not have a current Social Security disability determination, to the State Medical Review Team (SMRT) .
Note: SSA ends RSDI and SSI payments to inmates after 30 days of confinement for SSI or one full calendar month for RSDI. SSA will not allow people to reapply for benefits until the actual day of release.
l Follow the usual procedures for managed care. See the Prepaid MHCP Manual for more information.
l Enter the correctional facility’s address as the mailing address. The inmate must provide his or her new address within 30 days of the release date.
n If the inmate fails to provide a new address update the mailing address to the address of the field service agent listed on the DHS-3443.
Terminate coverage for the first available month giving 10-day notice. This will allow the field agent to assist with providing required information to continue coverage.
Reinstate eligibility if appropriate when the needed information is received.
l Enter a worker comment on the approval notice stating eligibility starts the date of release.
Example:
The county receives an application on April 22. The DHS-3443 shows an expected release date of June 5. The worker approves MA eligibility on April 30.
Action:
Add worker comments to the notice stating that eligibility for MA will begin on June 5.
l The Minnesota Health Care Programs membership card and approval notice will be mailed to the correctional facility. The facility will give the card to the inmate on the date of release.
The begin date for a person who applies for health care before their release is different for each program:
l MCRE: The begin date is the month following the month the initial premium is paid. Process the application as soon as possible to allow billing to occur immediately if the client is eligible.
l MA: The eligibility begin date is the first day of the month of release.
l GAMC: The eligibility begin date is the date of release.