BBI: Urgent alert about Medicaid and proof of citizenship

I know it’s Sunday, but I want to get this out there.

From NAMI:

Urgent: CMS Issues Guidance on Citizenship Documentation for Medicaid Beneficiaries and Applicants
The Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) was signed into law on February 8, 2006. The bill includes new requirements for anyone currently on Medicaid or applying for Medicaid benefits. Starting July 1, 2006, anyone applying for or being recertified as Medicaid eligible will be required to document United States citizenship and identity. Prior to the DRA, states could allow individuals to self-declare citizenship. Now they will be required to show documentation. States recertify individuals every 6-12 months, so all Medicaid beneficiaries will go through this requirement before July 2007. All new applicants are subject to the requirement. The requirements for aliens are unchanged by the DRA. They will continue to be required to offer proof of immigration status under prior law. On June 9, 2006, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Dear State Medicaid Director letter to the states with guidance on implementation. We now know more about what is required, but several key issues must be determined by the individual state. As advocates, it is very important that we understand these new requirements and communicate them to our members, fellow advocates and local mental health professionals. For more information, including a summary of key points in the CMS letter, a list of permissible documents, suggestions for meeting the new requirements, and advocacy strategies, please see the NAMI website.

liz | 1:34 PM | Uncategorized