A. Program(s)
SSI MAO
B. Federal Emergency Services Eligibility
A customer who does not meet the non-citizen status requirements in MS 522.00 may be eligible for emergency services (MS 302.03) under the Federal Emergency Services program if the customer:
Is undocumented (Does not have any USCIS document to verify immigration status); or
Has a valid USCIS document (for example, a student visa) but is not in an immigration status that allows eligibility for full AHCCCS Medical Services.
C. Social Security Number
The Social Security Number requirement (MS 531.00)for FES eligibility varies depending on the customer’s non-citizen status (MS 522.00):
If the customer is a… |
Then the customer… |
|
Must provide a Social Security Number (SSN).
If the customer does not have a Social Security Number, then the customer must provide proof from the Social Security Administration that he or she has applied for one. |
Undocumented |
Does not need to provide a Social Security Number. |
D. Services
Emergency services are limited to the services as described in MS 302.03.
E. Who Determines Eligibility?
The AHCCCS SSI MAO office determines eligibility for Federal Emergency Services for customers who meet the eligibility criteria of the SSI Non-cash coverage group (MS 413.00), except for non-citizen status.
The Department of Economic Security (DES) determines eligibility for families with children (MS 406.00) and pregnant women (MS 410.00) who may qualify for FES.
F. Where do Applications for Emergency Services Come From?
The SSI MAO unit that determines FES eligibility receives applications from several sources:
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) refers customers who are aged, blind or disabled;
Other units within the SSI MAO office for customers who apply for SSI MAO;
The AHCCCS Central Screening Unit;
An ALTCS office when ALTCS is denied due to failure to verify non-citizen status or the customer does not meet the non-citizen status requirements and has income under 100% of the FPL. Follow the instructions in How to Refer a Customer for a FES Eligibility Determination.
G. Approval Certification Periods
Emergency services are approved for specific blocks of time called certification periods.
Approve an eligible customer with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) for a twelve-month certification period beginning with the first eligible month.
Approve all other eligible customers for a six-month certification period.
The following information may be used to verify that the customer has ESRD:
Direct referrals from dialysis centers that assist the customers with the application process; or
The monthly list of court-ordered individuals that the SSI MAO office receives from DFSM.
H. Expiration of the 5-Year Ban
A qualified alien who entered the U.S on or after August 22, 1996 may be subject to a 5-year ban on eligibility for full Medicaid services (MS 522.03).
The 5 year ban on eligibility for full AHCCCS services begins the effective date of the customer’s qualified alien status and ends 5 years later.
The customer becomes eligible for full services on the first day of the month in which the 5-year ban ends.
If the customer will become eligible for full Medicaid services within the 6-month FES certification period, set an alert to convert the customer to SSI Non-cash (full services) for the month in which the 5-year ban expires.
I. Automated Termination of FES Eligibility
FES eligibility is automatically stopped at the end of the 6-month certification period.
MS 1402.02 contains information about renewing the FES certification period.