Revision 23-4; Effective Dec. 1, 2023
Administrative Renewal Process
All MEPD types of assistance (TOAs) go through an annual administrative renewal process. The system starts the administrative renewal without staff action.
The automated administrative renewal process uses information from the existing case record and electronic data sources to determine if the person remains eligible for Medicaid benefits. The electronic data is requested the weekend before cutoff in the ninth month of the recipient’s certification period.
During the administrative renewal process, the system also checks for the required verification by program.
The administrative renewal process uses electronic data to automatically:
- assess the verification required by program type;
- determine the eligibility outcome; and
- send the renewal correspondence to the recipient, the authorized representative (AR) or both.
Note: This automated process does not change the verification requirements for renewals.
If there is enough information to verify continued eligibility, the person’s eligibility is renewed without any staff action.
If more verification is required, the system automatically generates and mails a renewal form to the recipient, AR or both. The renewal form and all required verification must be returned within 30 days to complete the redetermination.
The system generates the applicable correspondence from the list below per the eligibility outcome of the automated renewal process and the action needed by the person:
- Form H1211, It Is Time to Renew Your Health Care Benefits Cover Letter;
- Form H1233, Redetermination Cover Letter;
- Form H1233-MBIC, Redetermination Cover Letter (Medicaid Buy-In for Children);
- Form H1200, Application for Assistance – Your Texas Benefits;
- Form H1200-A, Medical Assistance Only (MAO) Recertification;
- Form H1200-EZ, Application for Assistance;
- Form H1200-MBIC-R, Application for Benefits – Medicaid Buy-In for Children;
- Form H1200-PFS, Medical Application for Assistance (for Residents of State Facilities);
- Form H1200-SR, MEPD Streamlined Redetermination;
- Form H1206ME, Health-Care Benefits Renewal;
The cover letter informs the recipient that it is time to renew benefits, provides instructions on how to complete and return the renewal form along with any required verification documents, and informs the recipient that the information must be returned within 30 days. If the recipient does not return the renewal form and required verification, eligibility is automatically terminated at cutoff in the 12th month for failure to provide the requested information.
Notes: Form H1211 and Form H1206ME are generated when the automated renewal process results in Eligibility Approved. Form H1211 informs the recipient to only return Form H1206ME if the information is incorrect or if there has been a change to their case.
Recipients are not required to return Form H1200-SR. The renewal cover letter informs the recipient that they do not need to return the renewal form if the information on Form H1200-SR is correct and has not changed.
For applicable MEPD programs, Asset Verification System (AVS) must be requested at every renewal.
If the renewal form indicates that the recipient wants to register to vote, complete the "Voter Registration Information" section of the "Citizen" tab in the Individual Demographics logical unit of work (LUW). Select “YES” in the "Send Voter Registration Application?" dropdown to send Form H0025, HHSC Application for Voter Registration, to the mailing address on file. If the recipient contacts the office declining to complete Form H0025, mail Form H1350, Opportunity to Register to Vote, to the recipient. Form H1350 records the recipient's decision about registering to vote.
Related Policy
Who May Complete an Application for Assistance, B-3210
Who May Sign an Application for Assistance, B-3220
Redetermination Cycles, B-8200
Streamlined Redetermination (Passive Redetermination), B-8440
Voter Registration, C-7000
Asset Verification System (AVS), R-3740
B-8410 Financial Management
Revision 09-4; Effective December 1, 2009
For redeterminations, explore financial management if there has been no activity in the person’s bank account, other than interest credited, since the last redetermination.
If a person does not report a bank account, trust fund or similar account on the application for assistance, ask the person or the authorized representative to explain how the person’s financial affairs are handled. This includes determining who cashes his checks and where, who pays his bills and how, and who keeps his money and how the funds are kept.
If the person reveals previously unreported liquid resources, determine the value, ownership and accessibility according to the requirements for the resource involved.
Sources for verifying financial management are as follows:
- Statements from the recipient and the person who handles the recipient’s funds.
- Statement from a knowledgeable third party (for example, an administrator or bookkeeper in facility usually knows who receives the recipient’s benefit payments and pays the bills).
Include the following information in the case record documentation:
- Where checks are cashed and how bills are paid.
- Who handles the person’s checks, pays the person’s bills and maintains the person’s money.
- How much money, if any, the person or anyone else keeps.
- How much has accumulated.
- Source of information.
B-8420 Notification of Changes as a Result of Redetermination
Revision 11-4; Effective December 1, 2011
On receipt of the completed, signed and dated H1200 series form, redetermine eligibility for MEPD. A review may result in no changes being made or one of the following situations:
- Decrease of co-payment
If a review results in a decrease in a recipient's co-payment, dispose of the case action and send Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, to notify the recipient, and Form TF0001P, Provider Notice, to notify the facility. To correct co-payment for a previous period of time, complete Form H1259, Correction of Applied Income. - Increase of co-payment
If a review results in an increase in the recipient's co-payment, dispose the case action and send Form TF0001 to the recipient and Form TF0001P to the facility. If the recipient does not indicate a desire to appeal by the end of the 12-day notification period, the increased co-payment remains. - Denial of benefits
If a review results in a denial of benefits, send Form TF0001 to advise the recipient and Form TF0001P to notify the facility (if applicable). If the recipient does not indicate a desire to appeal by the end of the 12-day notification period, the benefits remain denied.
Note: Complete Form H1259 manually for notification if co-payment involves averaged income (raised or lowered) or incurred medical expenses. If all amounts are lower in the reconciliation shown on Form H1259, then adverse action is not required. In the above situations, ensure that if Form TF0001 and/or Form TF0001P is not sent automatically, a manual Form TF0001 and/or Form TF0001P is sent.
If there is no change in eligibility or co-payment, there is no mandate to send a notification to the recipient.
B-8430 Special Reviews
Revision 10-1; Effective March 1, 2010
A special review occurs between the annual review cycles to evaluate one or more eligibility elements without completing the annual review. The annual review (redetermination) packet is not required for a special review.
The need for a special review is based on policy, a reported change or the eligibility specialist's judgment.
Examples of when special reviews are needed for follow-up:
- On the person's action for applying for potential benefits. An initial 30-calendar day special review is required to evaluate if the person made application after the person has been notified to do so. This may occur before the application is completed. Another special review will be needed to follow up to see if the recipient continues to be eligible.
- When variable income and/or incurred medical expenses are averaged and projected. Special reviews are required at least every six months unless documentation substantiates an exception.
- Within a 90-day time frame when the total countable income is within $10 of the income limit.
- Within a 90-day time frame when the total countable resources are within $100 of the resource limit.
- When any change is anticipated to occur.
For special reviews, document clearly the detailed reason(s) for the special review. Documentation must include:
- specific information regarding the reason a special review is set;
- the name of the individual who is affected; and
- the eligibility area(s) subject to the review.
Include this information on correspondence sent to the person to request information concerning the special review. No redetermination packet is required.
For example, if someone has a private pension and the pension amount is anticipated to increase in the future, set a special review for the anticipated change. The eligibility area will be income. Documentation must specify pension information that will need to be verified at the special review. Include the:
- date on which the anticipated change is to occur;
- type of pension;
- source of pension; and
- frequency of payment of pension that will need to be verified at the special review.
Form H1020, Request for Information or Action, and Form H1020-A, Sources of Proof, are used to request information from the person or authorized representative. Include the due date on Form H1020 or H1020-A. If the recipient calls with questions, follow Appendix XVI, Documentation and Verification Guide, for acceptable verification sources.
Example:
George Black called this morning saying he received a letter requesting verification that he had applied for Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. He stated that he had applied and was told that it would take at least six months to hear anything.
Document what Mr. Black said. Recipient declaration is acceptable verification that he has applied for additional benefits. Be sure to tell Mr. Black to call and report if he hears anything about his eligibility from the VA.
B-8440 Streamlined Redetermination (Passive Redetermination)
Revision 19-2; Effective June 1, 2019
For certain stable community-based cases, a redetermination may be completed without requiring a renewal form. The passive redetermination is completed based on information available in the case record or other information available through electronic data sources.
Community-based cases are considered stable and eligible for a passive redetermination if they have no more than:
- one bank account;
- excluded burial funds;
- excluded resources;
- income requiring no more than annual verification; and
- variable income not more than $4.99.
For community-based cases that meet the criteria for a passive redetermination, the Form H1200-SR, Streamlined Redetermination for Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities, is sent. If there are no changes in income or resources to report, a completed renewal form is not required and eligibility is automatically renewed based on existing case information.
If the recipient returns the Form H1200-SR, process the redetermination following regular redetermination policy and procedures.
At least one annual redetermination must be completed using a regular application or redetermination form (Form H1200, Form H1200-A or Form H1200-EZ) before a case may be considered for the passive renewal process.
The streamlined redetermination process only applies to the following Types of Assistances (TOA’s):
- TP-14-ME-CAS - Community Attendant Services
- TP-23-MC-SLMB - Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries
- TP-24-MC-QMB - Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries
- TP-25-MC-QDWI - Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals
- TP-26-MC-QI-1 - Qualifying Individuals.
AVS applicable TOAs are not eligible for a passive redetermination.
Related Policy
Procedures for Redetermining Eligibility, B-8400
Asset Verification System (AVS), R-3740
B-8450 Special Reviews when Facility Contract Closure or Cancellation Occurs
Revision 21-3; Effective September 1, 2021
When a facility’s Medicaid contract is terminated, the facility notifies the recipient and provides them with the option to move to a Medicaid covered facility.
If the Medicaid recipient continues to live in an uncontracted facility, deny Medicaid eligibility and send Form TF0001, Notice of Case Action, to the recipient and or authorized representative (AR) and TF0001P, Provider Notice of Case Action, to the facility. The person will then be responsible for the full vendor payment for that facility.
If the recipient relocates to a Medicaid contracted facility, process a change of address, verify the person continues to meet all Medicaid eligibility criteria and send out a new TF0001 to the recipient and or AR and TF0001P to the new facility.
Related Policy
Institutional Living Arrangements, B-6300
Redetermination Cycles, B-8200
Notices, R-1300
B-8460 Changes and Program Transfers
Revision 24-3; Effective Sept. 1, 2024
Changes
Changes in circumstances are certain events that may affect a person’s eligibility, continued eligibility or co-payment amount.
All changes must be reported within 10 calendar days of the event, including changes in the person’s:
- address;
- living arrangement;
- income;
- resources; and
- marital status.
Take action on reported changes within:
- 10 business days for changes that may affect eligibility or co-payment; or
- 30 business days for changes that do not affect eligibility or co-payment.
Send Form H1020, Request for Information or Action if more information is needed to process the change. Allow the person at least 10 days from the date on the Form H1020 to provide the information.
Request verification for the new spouse if an active recipient reports a new spouse. Redetermine eligibility as appropriate for a couple or companion case.
When a change can be reasonably anticipated, such as an increase in pension or retirement income, set a special review to take timely action on the change.
Program Transfers
A program transfer occurs when an active recipient is determined eligible for another type of Medicaid or Medicare Savings Program (MSP).
Example: A CAS recipient enters a nursing facility and is determined eligible for nursing facility Medicaid.
A request for a program transfer is considered a change. Process the program transfer within 10 business days of receiving the request.
Redetermine eligibility and verify all required eligibility criteria for the new program, including 30-day consecutive stay, transfer of assets, substantial home equity and spousal impoverishment, if applicable.
Send Form H1020 if more information is needed to process the program transfer. Allow the person at least 10 days from the date on the Form H1020 to provide the information.
Note: Do not transfer a child to a Medicaid program with lesser benefits during the 12-month continuous eligibility period.
Continuous Medicaid Eligibility
Children under 19 receive 12 months of continuous Medicaid eligibility. Coverage is continuous, regardless of changes, unless the child:
- turns 19;
- moves out of state;
- dies;
- requests a voluntary withdrawal; or
- was invalidly enrolled due to certification in error or an OIG determination of fraud, abuse or perjury.
Do not terminate a child’s eligibility when a change is reported or an agency-generated change is received during the 12-month continuous eligibility period, unless the change is reporting one of the exceptions to continuous coverage listed above. Document the change and address it at the next annual redetermination.
Take action to update the case record if a change of address or a change in contact information is reported during the 12-month continuous eligibility period.
Related Policy
Missing Information Due Dates, B-6420
Continuous Medicaid Coverage, B-6600
Medicaid Certified Person Enters Nursing Facility or Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program, B-7450
Redetermining Eligibility, B-8200
Responsibility to Provide Information and Report Changes, C-8000
Asset Verification System (AVS), R-3740