210 R.I. Code R. 210-RICR-30-00-3.1

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 210-RICR-30-00-3.1 - Application Process for Medicaid Affordable Coverage: No Wrong Door

3.1.1Scope, Purpose, and Legal Authority

A. One of the central goals of the federal Affordable Coverage Act (hereinafter the ACA) of 2010 (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 42 U.S.C. § 18001et seq.) was to improve access to and the availability of affordable health coverage. Toward this end, the ACA mandated that the States reform the Medicaid application and renewal system to make it easier for consumers to navigate and gain access to and retain affordable health care coverage.

B. The purpose of this Rule is to set forth the application and renewal processes for members of the Medicaid Affordable Care Coverage (MACC) groups subject to MAGI-based income eligibility determinations. The Rule also sets forth the respective roles and responsibilities of the EOHHS, its eligibility agents, and applicants/beneficiaries. In addition, the Rule establishes the application and renewal processes for children in the Integrated Health Care Coverage (IHCC) groups who are exempt from MAGI determinations under Federal law and Regulations and, therefore, the Medicaid State Plan because their eligibility is tied to participation in other publicly funded programs including Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the programs for children and youth at-risk or in the custody of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).

C. This Part is promulgated pursuant to:

1. Federal authorities as follows:

a. Federal Laws - § 1115 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1315; Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C §§ 670-679(c), Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1396a-1396w-7 ; and Title XXI of the U.S. Social Security Act, §§ 42 U.S.C. 1397aa1397mm; § 1413(b)(1)(A) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and § 5112 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, Pub. Law 117-328.

b. Federal Regulations - 42 C.F.R. §§ 435.603; 435.902 through 910; 435.916; and 435.1025

c. The Medicaid State Plan and the Section 1115 Demonstration Waiver granted pursuant to § 1115 of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1315.

2. State authorities - R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 40-6, 40-8, and 42-7.2.

3.1.2Incorporated Materials

A. These regulations hereby adopt and incorporate 42 C.F.R. § 435.916 (2023) by reference, not including any further editions or amendments thereof, and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with these regulations.

B. These regulations hereby adopt and incorporate 42 C.F.R. § 435.603 (2023) by reference, not including any further editions or amendments thereof, and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with these regulations.

C. These regulations hereby adopt and incorporate 42 C.F.R. § 435.902-910 (2023) by reference, not including any further editions or amendments thereof, and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with these regulations.

D. These regulations hereby adopt and incorporate 42 C.F.R. § 435.1005 (2023) by reference, not including any further editions or amendments thereof, and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with these regulations

3.1.3Definitions

A. As used herein, the terms below have the meanings described:

1. "Application access points" means the various contact points where consumers or their representatives can access the application process either directly through the State's integrated eligibility system's consumer portal (online) or with the assistance of EOHHS, the Department of Human Services (DHS), or HealthSource RI (HSRI) representatives, or an application entity designated by the State for such purposes (in-person, by telephone or a mail-in application).

2. "Application entity" means an organization or firm acting on a State agency's behalf that provides applicants for affordable coverage with an application access point including the EOHHS, the DHS, the HealthSource RI (HSRI) and any organizations designated for such purposes that maintain a staff of certified navigators or in-person assistors.

3. "Continuous eligibility" or "CE" means a period of eligibility during which a member cannot be disenrolled due to changes in circumstances with certain exceptions. Exceptions include a request for disenrollment by the beneficiary, the beneficiary is no longer a resident of the state, the agency determines that eligiblity was erroneously granted at the most recent determination, redetermination, or renewal due to agency error or fraud, abuse, or perjury attributed to the beneficiary, or the beneficiary is deceased.

4. "Enrollee" means a Medicaid member or beneficiary who is enrolled in a Medicaid managed care plan.

5. "Integrated Health and Human Services Eligibility System" or "IES" means the State's eligibility system that enables applicants, through a single application, to be considered for several human service programs simultaneously, including affordable health coverage and human services.

6. "Medicaid Affordable Care Coverage Group" or "MACC" means a classification of persons eligible to receive Medicaid based on similar characteristics who are subject to the MAGI standard for determining income eligibility as set forth in Part 1 of this Subchapter.

7. "MAGI standard" means the method for evaluating Medicaid income eligibility using the modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) standard established under the ACA. The MAGI is the standard for determining income eligibility for all MACC groups.

8. "Modified passive renewal" means a method for determining continuing eligibility using electronic data sources and information provided by beneficiaries. This method is only used when the eligibility factors subject to change cannot be evaluated fully by the available electronic data sources or information in the beneficiary's account. This process may also be used when there is insufficient information to determine whether a beneficiary who is losing coverage due to a change in an eligibility factor is eligible in another coverage group, such as when a MACC adult is about to turn sixty-five (65) and must be evaluated using the SSI methodology specified in Chapter 40 of this Title.

9. "Navigator" means a person working for a State-contracted organization with certified assisters who have expertise in Medicaid eligibility and enrollment.

10. "Non-MAGI coverage group" means a Medicaid coverage group that is not subject to the modified adjusted gross income eligibility determination. For the purposes of this Part, the term refers to the children and youth who are eligible for Medicaid based on their participation in another publicly funded program and/or by Federal law, including infants born to Medicaid eligible mothers, recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cash assistance under age twenty-one (21), and children and youth who are, or in some instances were, in the care and/or custody of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF).

11. "Passive or ex parte renewal" means a method for determining continuing eligibility that uses electronic data sources to confirm ongoing eligibility without information or action on the part of a beneficiary, unless certain types of discrepancies are detected. The State may require members to resolve discrepancies in pre-populated forms or in online accounts.

3.1.4Application Access Points

A. Under the State's "No Wrong Door Policy", consumers must have easy access to a choice of application access points. New applicants for affordable coverage may access the eligibility system and complete the application process through application entities that have been designated for this purpose and on their own or with assistance, if necessary, through any of the following access points:

1. Online Consumer Portal - Applicants have the option of accessing the eligibility system and applying online using a self-service portal through links on the EOHHS (eohhs.ri.gov) and DHS (dhs.ri.gov) websites or directly through HSRI (HealthSourceRI.com). The information applicants provide is entered directly into the IES and is processed electronically in real-time.

2. In-person or by telephone - Applicants may apply in-person at DHS field offices with the assistance of an agency representative or on their own using kiosks established for this purpose. The Contact Center also provides access to walk-in applicants and consumers who make contact by telephone. If an applicant is unwilling or unable to apply online, an agency or Contact Center representative must enter the information into the IES on the applicant's behalf.

3. On-paper - Applicants may submit paper applications in-person or by U.S. Mail, e-mail transmissions, and facsimile transmissions to the address specified on the application. Paper applications are available online, through the U.S. Mail upon written request or telephone request (1-855-840-4774 or 1-888-657-3173 (TTY)), or in-person at any DHS field office or the Contact Center. Upon receipt, an agency or Contact Center representative must enter the information provided on the paper application directly into the eligibility system portal and submit the application for a determination on the applicant's behalf.

4. Application Entities - Applicants may access the eligibility system with the assistance of application entities that provide navigators or other in-person assisters (IPAs). Members of these entities assist applicants in completing paper applications or applying through the online portal. A list of these application entities is available from the Contact Center or online by visiting the EOHHS website (www.eohhs.ri.gov).

3.1.5Completing and Submitting the Application

A. In general, the process of completing and submitting an application proceeds in accordance with the following:

1. Account Creation - To initiate the application process, the applicant, agency or Contact Center representative, or application entity assisting the applicant, must create a login and establish an account in the eligibility system.

a. The applicant must provide personally identifiable information for the purpose of creating an online account and establishing identity during this process. Verification of this information is automated through the Federal data hub (see Part 30-00-5 of this Title). Documentation verifying identity may be required if the automated verification process is unsuccessful. Acceptable forms of identity proof include, but are not limited to, a driver's license, school registration, voter registration card. Documents may be submitted via mail, fax, on-line upload, to a DHS Office, or the HSRI. (See Part 30-00-5 of this Title for additional information).

b. Once identity is verified, the Medicaid agency must conduct account matches to determine whether the applicant or members of the applicant's household have other accounts or are currently receiving benefits. It is the State's responsibility to resolve account matching issues and notify the applicant of any necessary actions.

2. Account Duration - An application account is open for a period of ninety (90) days. Applicants must restart the process if they have not completed and submitted an application within that period.

a. Applications may be started at any time. Once started, progress can be saved at any point and the application returned to at a later time. Incomplete applications not submitted within ninety (90) days are automatically deleted in the eligibility system.

b. Eligibility determinations for Medicaid. Determinations must be made within thirty (30) days from the date the completed application is received. The application remains open after that period if the State or its eligibility designee (DHS) or agents (application entities) are responsible for delays in the eligibility determination.

c. Temporary eligibility period. If there are discrepancies between an applicant's attestations and electronic data matches on immigration eligibility factors, eligibility is granted for a period of no more than ninety (90) days. The application remains open during this period to allow the applicant sufficient time to obtain necessary documentation.

3. Application Materials - Applicants must answer all the required questions for each member of their household. Application questions focus on the need for all types of affordable coverage and specific Medicaid eligibility criteria related to the applicable MACC group. In general, applicants will be able to provide answers to the application questions with information used when filing Federal tax forms and/or documents commonly used for identification and income verification purposes. When applying through the web portal online, electronic verification through data matches will limit the applicant's need to refer to these materials. However, when using a paper application, access to these materials may be necessary. Materials that may be of assistance in such instances include, but are not limited to:

a. Federal tax filing status

b. Household/family size

c. Social Security Numbers

d. Birth dates

e. Passport or other immigration numbers

f. Federal tax returns

g. Information about any health coverage available to you or your family, including any information you have about the health insurance your current employer offers even if you are not covered by your employer's insurance plan

h. W-2 forms with salary and wage information if you work for an employer

i. 1099 forms, if you are self-employed.

4. Application Completeness - Before a determination of eligibility is made, all questions on the application must be completed. Applicants must be informed and offered the opportunity to provide any additional documentation or explanations necessary to proceed to the determination of eligibility. Such information will be provided to applicants immediately through a notification from the eligibility system when using the self-service portal. The agency or HSRI, or application entity entering the information into the eligibility system on the applicant's behalf, must provide this information to the applicant immediately once it becomes available, by letter or phone if the applicant is not present. However, the application filing date is not established until the completed form is submitted.

5. Voluntary Withdrawal. An applicant may request that an application for Medicaid health coverage be withdrawn at any time either through their secure online account or by submitting the request in writing via the U.S. Mail or fax to the EOHHS or DHS agency or a HSRI representative. Withdrawal of the application may also be made by telephone to the HSRI. The State sends a notice to the applicant verifying the time and date of the voluntary withdrawal and indicating that the applicant may reapply at any time.

3.1.6Attestation of Application Information

A. All questions on the application must be answered in a truthful and accurate manner. Every applicant must self-attest to the truthfulness and accuracy of the question responses and documentation submitted by providing an electronic signature under penalty of perjury.

1. Electronic Matches - Federal and State Data Sources: The eligibility system verifies attestations through electronic data matches to the fullest extent feasible with external sources such as the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Rhode Island agencies such as the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the Office of Vital Statistics and the Department of Labor and Training (DLT). The eligibility factors subject to verification and the verification process is located in Part 30-00-5 of this Title.

2. Attestation - Before an application can be submitted, the applicant, or the person/entity acting on the applicant's behalf, must authenticate by signature that the information provided is genuine, correct, and true. When applying online, the attestation is conducted electronically. An agency or HSRI representative or an authorized application entity must verify that the application was signed (mail application), a voice signature was obtained (telephone application), or that the applicant signed a declaration in-person. The signature provided by the applicant in these instances is an attestation to both the applicant's identity and the truthfulness and accuracy of the information on the application. There are circumstances when an applicant's attestations and verification data matches show discrepancies. (See Part 30-00-5 of this Title for the provisions governing reconciliation of such differences).

3.1.7Privacy of Application Information

A. Application information must only be used to determine eligibility and what types of coverage a person is qualified to receive. Accordingly, the State, HSRI, or application entity must maintain the privacy and confidentiality of all application information and in the manner required by applicable Federal and State laws and Regulations and as provided in Part 10-05-1 of this Title.

3.1.8Notice of Determination of Eligibility

A. Once an application is completed and the required verifications are performed, eligibility for Medicaid and other forms of affordable coverage is made for each member of the household. (For information on other forms of affordable coverage, see www.HealthSourceRI.com or call HSRI at 1-855-840-4774).

B. Household members determined Medicaid-eligible may enroll immediately in the health plan of choice. A formal notice will be generated after the determination indicating which household members are eligible for Medicaid or other forms of affordable coverage, the legal basis for the determination of eligibility, and the plan in which each household member is enrolled, if applicable. The notice will be sent via the applicant's secure online account if opting to receive agency communications in such a manner or by mail in a reasonable time period. A "reasonable time" period usually will not exceed ten (10) business days, but in no instance will it extend beyond the thirty (30) day application period.

C. The notice must also advise the applicant of the right to appeal and request a hearing, in accordance with Part 10-05-2 of this Title.

3.1.9Agency and Applicant Roles and Responsibilities

A. The State and applicants have shared and distinct responsibilities in the application process.

1. Medicaid agency - Under current State and Federal laws, the Medicaid State Agency is required to:

a. Assist applicants in completing all necessary forms.

b. Provide applicants with an interpreter or translator services upon request.

c. Assure all information applicants provide is kept confidential unless otherwise authorized to share with other State and Federal agencies for the purposes of verification and enrollment.

d. Make timely determinations of eligibility in accordance with applicable laws and Regulations.

e. Accept appeals and hold hearings on agency actions related to eligibility decisions in accordance with Part 10-05-2 of this Title.

f. Provide a mechanism for beneficiaries to voluntarily withdraw eligibility for Medicaid health coverage at any time by submitting a written request via the U.S. Mail or fax to the EOHHS or DHS agency or an HSRI representative.

2. Applicant Rights and Responsibilities - All applicants have the following:

a. Applicant Rights - The right to obtain help in completing forms; to an interpreter or translator, upon request; to be treated free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation, age or disability; to have personal information remain confidential; and to file an appeal and request a hearing on eligibility actions.

b. Applicant Responsibilities - The responsibility to:

(1) Disclose certain information including Social Security Numbers and proof necessary to determine eligibility;

(2) Report changes in income, family size and other application information as soon as possible; and

(3) Sign the application and thereby agree to comply with any applicable laws related to the type of eligibility requested and the coverage received.

210 R.I. Code R. 210-RICR-30-00-3.1

Amended effective 10/5/2021
Amended effective 10/1/2024