Frequently Asked Questions

As stated under section 1902(e)(14)(D)(v), if the application of the new MAGI-based methods would be the cause of an existing Medicaid beneficiary's (i.e., one determined eligible based on current methods and enrolled in the program prior to January 1, 2014) becoming ineligible for continued coverage based on income, the individual retains Medicaid eligibility until March 31, 2014 or the next scheduled renewal, whichever is later. If, at the appropriate time, an individual is determined to no longer qualify for the current eligibility group, under longstanding Medicaid rules the individual's eligibility must be assessed under other possible eligibility groups before Medicaid eligibility may be terminated (see section 435.930(b) and section 435.916(f)). In accordance with 435.1200, if the individual is no longer Medicaid eligible, the state agency must evaluate the individual for potential eligibility for enrollment in a qualified health plan (QHP) through the Affordable Insurance Exchange, or Marketplace, and for CHIP.

Since the eligibility rules for Medicaid, CHIP and enrollment in a QHP through the Exchange are aligned, we do not expect that the evaluation for potential eligibility for these other programs to pose a burden on state agencies. Once determined to be potentially eligible for another program, the regulations call for ensuring that the information concerning the potentially eligible individual is transferred electronically to the other program.

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FAQ ID:94091

Yes, as required by law. Conversion to modified adjusted gross income eligibility rules will apply to the nonelderly, nondisabled eligibility groups covered in each state, effective January 2014, without regard to whether a state expands coverage to the low-income adult group. The new modified adjusted gross income rules are aligned with the income rules that will be applied for determination of eligibility for premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions through Exchanges; the application of modified adjusted gross income to Medicaid and CHIP will promote a simplified, accurate, fair, and coordinated approach to enrollment for consumers. CMS has been working with states to move forward with implementation of the modified adjusted gross income rules, and consolidation and simplification of Medicaid eligibility categories.

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 359.41 KB)

FAQ ID:94621

The Medicaid eligibility final rule at 435.110, 435.116 and 435.118 set forth the mechanism for consolidating certain federal eligibility categories into four main groupings: adults, children, pregnant women and parents/caretaker relatives. The table provided below lays out the consolidation of mandatory and optional eligibility groups (a version of this table was also included as part of the preamble to the proposed rule).

Realignment of Medicaid Eligibility Groups

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FAQ ID:93131

States are not required to track the pregnant status of women enrolled through the new adult group. Women who enroll in the adult group who later become pregnant will have the option of either staying enrolled in the adult group, or requesting that the State move them to a pregnancy-related eligibility group. This is most likely to occur if women need specific benefits that are not available under the adult group benchmark benefit package.

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FAQ ID:93136

If a woman indicates on the application that she is pregnant, she should be enrolled in Medicaid coverage as a pregnant woman. The Affordable Care Act specifies that pregnant women are not eligible for the new adult group. As mentioned above, if a woman enrolled in the adult group later becomes pregnant, she will have the option to stay enrolled in the adult group or request that the State move her to a pregnancy-related eligibility group.

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 81.8 KB)

FAQ ID:93141

Yes, the breast and cervical cancer group and the eligibility group for working disabled individuals will remain optional eligibility groups which States may elect. The Affordable Care Act did not alter the financial or non-financial requirements or methodologies used to determine eligibility for these groups, both of which are exempt from the application of Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) methodology for determining income.

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 81.8 KB)

FAQ ID:93151

Coverage under section 1931 of the Act was not repealed with the ACA and will remain in effect in 2014. As noted in the table above, eligibility for parents and caretaker relatives under section 1931 is implemented at section 435.110 of the regulations; eligibility for pregnant women under section 1931 is implemented at section 435.116 and eligibility for children at section 435.118. TMA under section 1925 of the Act will sunset on December 31, 2012, unless extended by Congress. If Congress elects to extend section 1925 of the Act beyond December 31, 2013, States will need to provide TMA to eligible individuals as set forth in their approved State plans. Note that the 4-month extension for individuals losing eligibility under section 1931 of the Act due to increased earnings or hours of work (see sections 1902(e)(1)(A) and 1931(c)(2) of the Act), and the 4-month extension of eligibility for individuals losing eligibility due to increased spousal support (see section 1931(c)(1) of the Act) do not have a sunset date and would therefore still apply in 2014 unless repealed by Congress. The extension of eligibility for individuals losing coverage under section 1931 due to increased child support will no longer be relevant in 2014, as child support is not counted as income under MAGI-based methodologies.

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 81.8 KB)

FAQ ID:93156

Yes. People with disabilities or who need long term care services and supports may qualify under the new adult group in 2014 if they meet the MAGI-based eligibility standards for that group. In addition, under the final eligibility and enrollment rule, eligibility for the new adult group based on MAGI does not preclude eligibility for coverage under an optional group that might be otherwise excepted from MAGI methods. Individuals with MAGI-based income up to 133% of the federal poverty level who meet the criteria for the adult group but who need long term services and supports, can choose to enroll in an optional group that better meets their needs, and they can move from the adult group to the optional eligibility group at any time, if eligible. Individuals found eligible for the new adult group based on MAGI, but who appear on the application to be potentially eligible for Medicaid on a basis other than MAGI, will be offered a more thorough eligibility determination so that they can have this option.

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FAQ ID:93161

States may continue to provide coverage to medically needy individuals in 2014, and indeed are required to offer such coverage with respect to children until the maintenance of effort requirement provision in section 1902(gg) of the Act expires. States have the option to discontinue coverage under medically needy groups for adults (e.g., disabled individuals with income above the standard for categorical eligibility) in 2014, subject to section 1902(gg). In States that continue to cover existing medically needy adult groups, adults who meet the categorical eligibility and resource requirements will have the ability to spend down to the medically needy income standard and receive the benefits covered for medically needy individuals in the State, or to enroll in the adult group (provided they meet the eligibility requirements for that group, including being under 65 and not eligible for Medicare).

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 81.8 KB)

FAQ ID:93166

The final rule specifies that Medicaid and CHIP agencies will establish their verification policies and procedures in a verification plan. This plan is not a required element of the Medicaid State plan but States suggested, and CMS agrees, that it will be helpful to have the each State's eligibility verification process established in a written plan. The verification plans will serve many purposes, including ensuring PERM reviews are mindful of the State's verification policies and also for promoting coordination with the Exchange. States' verification plans will be public and available upon request, but we are not establishing a Federal approval process. State verification policies must of course always be consistent with applicable Federal at section 435.940 - 435.956 of the eligibility final rule.

The verification plans will include information about the data sources the State will use to verify applicant information, define reasonable compatibility standards, and determine when self attestation will be accepted. CMS will provide a verification plan template for States to use.

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• This FAQ was released as part of a larger set. View the full set. (PDF, 81.8 KB)

FAQ ID:93176