10- 144 C.M.R. ch. 103, § II-2.2
Eligibility periods are generally six months.
It is the responsibility of the recipient to report changes in circumstances which affect eligibility, such as, but not limited to, income, assets, and/or household income, to the Department.
Such changes are to be reported within 10 days from occurrence. For income purposes "occurrence" will be considered the date the increased income was received. For all other purposes, "occurrence" will be considered the date the change took place.
All changes reported by the recipient during the six month eligibility period must be reviewed by the Eligibility Specialist to determine the effect of the change on the recipient's eligibility. Within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the information, the Department will determine if the recipient remains eligible for the Program.
If the new information results in Program termination, the Eligibility Specialist must determine the individual's eligibility, if any, for any other medical assistance program.
The Eligibility Specialist may want to look at specific eligibility factors rather than review the individual' entire situation. In such instances, the Eligibility Specialist may recall the case at any time. The Eligibility Specialist must recall the case when:
- There is reason to believe the individual's circumstances will change.
- The countable assets of the household are within $200 of the appropriate standard. If this occurs, the assets must be reviewed every three months.
- The countable assets of the household are within $100 of the appropriate standard. If this occurs, the assets must be reviewed monthly.
Eligibility will be reviewed at least at the end of each eligibility period. Recipients must complete and submit review forms. If the review form is not received in a Department Regional Office by the end of the month in which the last day of the advance notice period falls it is considered a new application if and when it is received unless there is good cause, in which case it will not be considered a new application.
Good cause for missing the filing deadline may be established by the Eligibility Specialist. Reasons for good cause include but are not limited to:
* mail delay;
* illness or death in the family or of other significant people; or
* circumstances beyond the control of the recipient.
Income
The 2000 section of the Maine Medicaid Eligibility Manual on treatment of AFDC related income, except for income limits, shall be used to determine countable income.
Income of recipients in the "basic" Program must be at or below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines. Income of recipients in the "transition" Program must be greater than 100%, or less than or equal to 150% of the federal poverty guidelines See section 2.2-7 for additional information regarding the "transition" program.
Monthly Income Limits
| Family | 100% of | 150% of |
| Size | Poverty Level | Poverty Level |
| 1 | 614 | 920 |
| 2 | 820 | 1230 |
| 3 | 1027 | 1540 |
| 4 | 1234 | 1850 |
| 5 | 1440 | 2160 |
| 6 | 1647 | 2470 |
| 7 | 1854 | 2780 |
| 8 | 2060 | 3090 |
| Each Added Person | 207 | 310 |
Assets
The 3000 section of the Maine Medicaid Eligibility Manual on treatment of assets for SSI related, except for the asset limits, shall be used to determine countable assets.
The asset limits for both "basic" and "transition" Programs are as follows:
* Age 20-64 = $2,000 for the first person $3,000 for two people $100 for each additional individual; or
* Age 65+ = $10,000 for each individual or individual living with a spouse.
Covered Individuals
Individuals age twenty (20) and older whose countable income and assets are less than or equal to the Program limits may participate in the Maine Health Program.
Cooperation With Medicaid
As a condition of eligibility, recipients must cooperate with the Department to establish whether they qualify for Medicaid. Noncooperation will result in denial or termination of Program coverage.
When a recipient's medical condition changes so that she may qualify for Medicaid, the recipient is required to cooperate in determining eligibility for Medicaid.
Verification Of Eligibility Information
Verification of information needed to determine eligibility must be requested initially from the recipient. If information is requested from other sources (with the exception of public records), the individual must be informed. If collateral contacts are necessary and the individual does not give consent, termination will occur.
When a decision cannot be made due to inconclusive or conflicting information, the individual will be notified what questions remain and what needs to be resolved. If the Department cannot determine that eligibility exists after contacting the individual or collateral contacts, assistance will be terminated. Termination will be carried out in conformance with the rights of individuals, including an advance notice of adverse action and the right to request a Fair Hearing.
It is the responsibility of the Department to assist the individual in establishing eligibility for medical assistance. It is the responsibility of the individual to satisfy all eligibility requirements. The individual or the individual's representative is responsible for supplying verification of information to all persons in the household whose circumstances affect eligibility. If this information is not provided, eligibility does not exist.
Residence
Recipients must be a resident of Maine.
Eligibility cannot be terminated because:
- an individual has not resided in the State for a specified period of time;
- the individual did not establish residence before entering a medical institution; or
- an individual is temporarily or involuntarily absent from the State, provided the individual intends to return once the purpose for the absence has been accomplished, unless another state has determined the individual has no intent to return to retain residency in Maine.
Social Security Numbers
As a condition of eligibility, an individual is required to:
- furnish the Department with a Social Security number. If the individual has a Social Security number but is unable to provide it, the Department will contact the Social Security Administration in order to obtain the number. Program coverage will not be withheld or terminated while verification of the individual's Social Security number is being obtained from the Social Security Administration; or
- apply to the Social Security Administration for a Social Security number if the individual does not have a Social Security number. The recipient must provide the Department with verification that the application for a Social Security number has been made. Program coverage will not be withheld or terminated for lack of a Social Security number as long as the individual provides verification of application for a Social Security number for those requesting assistance.
No individual can receive Program benefits until the requirements in (1) or (2) above have been met. The Eligibility Specialist should explain that the application for a Social Security number requires the individual to provide a valid birth certificate or other proof of age and verification of identity. The Department must assist the individual in obtaining verification information necessary to apply for a Social Security number. This includes obtaining documents to prove date of birth, citizenship or identity. The Department cannot pay any costs incurred by the individual in obtaining this information.
Individuals must be informed that their Social Security number will be utilized in the administration of the Program and will be used for verification of information such as wages, unemployment benefits and bank accounts.
Citizenship
An individual must be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien. An individual who is not a citizen of the United States must be an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence or otherwise permanently residing in the United States under the color of law (including any alien who is lawfully present in the United States as the result of the application of the provisions of Section 203(a) (7), (207) (c), 208 and 212 (d) (s) of the Immigration and Nationality Act). An individual who has resided in the United States continuously from any date before January 1, 1972, is considered a legally admitted alien.
Each individual who is not a citizen must provide either (1) documents from the Immigration and Naturalization Service or (2) other documents which prove the person is a lawfully admitted alien. Alien status is subject to verification by the Immigration and Naturalization Services.
As a condition of eligibility, recipients must declare their citizenship or alien status, in writing on Department forms.
Determine Household Size And Financial Responsibility
The financial responsibility of relatives is limited to spouse for spouse (living together) and parents for minor children living with them. All members who reside in the household and among whom a legal responsibility for support exists will be included in the household when determining eligibility.
Examples: Mr. Jones, age 35 Mrs. Jones, age 33 Daughter Jones' age 14 Son Jones, age 10
Household size is a family of four (4) in determining the eligibility for the adults. For adults, countable income is compared to 100% of federal poverty level for a size of four (4).
Since financial responsibility does not exist from children to parents, those children with income which affects eligibility may be removed from the household unit. Such children are considered to be self-sufficient and no allocation of the parent's income may be made.
Countable Income And Assets
The individual's countable income and assets shall be compared to the income and asset limits.
Only recipients who have participated in the "basic" Program are eligible to participate in the "transition" Program. Recipients whose household income exceeds the basic Program's income eligibility standards by no more than 50% may participate in the "transition" Program provided the recipients pay a premium to the Department. See Chapter V, Premiums.
"Transition" coverage is available for up to twelve (12) months.
The "transition" period begins the first month the change from the Basic" Program can be effective with twelve (12) day notice when a change in circumstance(s) is reported timely. Recipients must agree to participate in the "transition" Program in the first month in which they are eligible for coverage or lose the opportunity to participate in the "transition" Program. Recipients who become ineligible for the "transition", Program for reasons other than non-payment of fees (e.g. move out of State or income increases more than 50%) are not eligible for reinstatement in the "transition" Program.
"Transition" recipients whose household income decreases are eligible for "basic" Program coverage again. If, subsequently, they become eligible for the "transition" Program because of an increase in household income, they are eligible to receive "transition" coverage again.
10- 144 C.M.R. ch. 103, § II-2.2