DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance
PROPOSED
PUBLIC NOTICE
Long Term Care – Acute Care Program
In compliance with the State's Administrative Procedures Act (APA - Title 29, Chapter 101 of the Delaware Code) and under the authority of Title 31 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 5, Section 512, Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) / Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) is proposing to amend existing rules in the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) used to determine eligibility related to Long Term Care, specifically, the Acute Care Program.
Any person who wishes to make written suggestions, compilations of data, testimony, briefs or other written materials concerning the proposed new regulations must submit same to Sharon L. Summers, Planning & Policy Development Unit, Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance, 1901 North DuPont Highway, P.O. Box 906, New Castle, Delaware 19720-0906 or by fax to 302-255-4425 by August 31, 2008.
The action concerning the determination of whether to adopt the proposed regulation will be based upon the results of Department and Division staff analysis and the consideration of the comments and written materials filed by other interested persons.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL
The proposed provides notice to the public that the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) intends to amend existing rules in the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) used to determine eligibility related to Long Term Care, specifically, the Acute Care Program.
Statutory Authority
Summary of Proposal
DSSM 20800, Long Term Acute Care Program (SSI) Determining Eligibility for the Acute Care Program: First, the rule title has been renamed to reflect the revised content of the rule regarding medical eligibility rules for 30-day hospitalization/rehabilitation and out-of-state rehabilitation. Individuals who are inpatients of an acute care hospital for 30 days or more may be eligible for Long Term Care Medicaid.
Second, to simplify the policy format, Section 20800 is substantially revised, renumbered, and reorganized for greater clarity and ease of reading. Individuals requiring out-of-state placement in a rehabilitation center may also be eligible for Long Term Care Medicaid. Specific medical policy clarifications have been added to assist DMMA staff in obtaining the necessary information when determining medical eligibility.
DMMA PROPOSED REGULATION #08-30
REVISION:
20800 Long Term Acute Care Program (SSI)
Until 12/31/95, Medicaid coverage was available to individuals in acute care hospitals for more than 30 days, who would be eligible for SSI (aged, blind, or disabled) except that their income is between 100% and 250% of the SSI standard. Effective 1/1/96, individuals with income exceeding 100% of the SSI standard are not eligible. Individuals who would be eligible for TANF if not hospitalized may also qualify. This section will focus on applicants who would be eligible for SSI. These individuals will be determined eligible only after the patient has been in the hospital for 30 consecutive days. For example, if an individual enters the hospital on April 24th, Medicaid units need not consider eligibility unless the individual is still hospitalized on May 23rd (and has been continuously hospitalized since April 24th).
Financial eligibility for this program is always handled by the Financial Eligibility Units. Medical eligibility can be determined by PAS or by the Medicaid Review Team. To be medically eligible, the applicant must have required the level of care provided by a hospital during the time of his/her hospitalization. The individual may also be found eligible based on age alone (age 65 or older) or if the individual is statutorily blind and in the need of acute care services. Anyone 65 or statutorily blind and hospitalized for 30 consecutive days, and in need of acute care services would be medically eligible.
20800.1 Referral Procedures
1. The referral is taken by PAS if the applicant is seeking Nursing Home placement or Home and Community Based Services, in addition to this program. PAS will determine medical eligibility and will refer the case to the Financial Eligibility Unit. If Home and Community Based Services are needed, the Financial Unit will refer the case to the HCBS Unit.
2. If the applicant is planning to be discharged to his home or to an out of state hospital or has already been discharged and does not require Home and Community Based Services or long term care placement, the referral is taken by the Financial Eligibility Unit. The eligibility process begins only when the applicant has reached his 30th day of hospitalization. The Financial Eligibility Unit obtains a FORM 408 from the hospital and forwards it with any pertinent medical information to the Medical Review Team. If the applicant is under the age of 19 and does not require long term care or HCBS, the Financial Eligibility Unit refers the case to the Family and Community Medicaid Unit.
3. If, in either of the above two situations the referral is an emergency, i.e., the applicant requires a heart transplant, bone marrow transplant, etc., the appropriate referral unit will begin the eligibility process without waiting for the 30 days to elapse or for the FORM 408 Form to be completed.
In emergency situations, the worker handling the referral will notify her supervisor. The supervisor will inform the Long-Term Care Coordinator of the applicant's medical situation. The Long Term Care Coordinator will determine medical eligibility with the assistance of a staff nurse.
20800.2 Financial Determination
1. Applicant or representative must complete the application process
2. Eligibility will be determined using all nursing home technical and financial standards.
3. If applicant is eligible, the Medicaid case must be opened on DCIS retroactive from the hospital admission date. For example, if an individual enters the hospital April 24th and is continuously hospitalized at least until May 23rd. The Medicaid coverage would begin effective April 24th. In no case shall the effective date of eligibility be earlier than the first day of hospitalization.
4. There is a patient pay requirement for these individuals and the patient pay amount is determined in accordance with policy section 20600 (Post-Eligibility Definitions/Procedures). Notification of patient pay amount and approval must be sent to the appropriate hospital social worker.
Complete data entry functions to update DCIS and templates.
5. Redeterminations of eligibility must be completed at six month intervals, but biweekly contacts must be made with the hospital to determine that the recipient is still institutionalized.
This policy applies to all applications received for Medicaid payment of Inpatient hospitalization or rehabilitation.
Thirty Consecutive Days of Hospitalization
Eligibility for this program will only be determined once the individual has been hospitalized for 30 consecutive days, unless:
Licensed and Certified Hospital or Rehabilitation Facility
The medical facility must be licensed and certified as a Title XIX Acute Care or Rehabilitation Medical Facility.
The Acute Care facility must be engaged in providing diagnostic and therapeutic services for medical diagnosis, treatments, and care of injured, disabled, or sick persons. These services must be provided by or under the supervision of physicians. Continuous twenty–four (24) hour nursing services are provided.
The Rehabilitation facility may be a freestanding rehabilitation hospital or a rehabilitation unit in an Acute Care hospital.
Medical Eligibility Requirements For In State Hospitalization and/or Rehabilitation
Medical eligibility for Inpatient hospitalization/rehabilitation services received within the state is determined by the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance Pre-Admission Screening (PAS) units. The individual must have required the level of care provided by a hospital during the time of his/her hospitalization, as determined by the PAS units.
Anyone 65 years of age or older, or statutorily blind would meet the medical eligibility criteria if they were in need of acute care services during the time of their hospitalization.
Medical Eligibility Requirements For Out of State Rehabilitation
Medical eligibility for Inpatient Rehabilitation services to be received out of state is determined by the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance Medical Director. The individual must require:
The individual must be able to tolerate and participate in:
Medical eligibility must be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis.
Prior authorization must be requested and approved before out of state placement is made.
Financial Eligibility Requirements
Financial eligibility is determined by the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance Financial units. An individual must meet income and resource guidelines.
Income Guidelines
The income limit is equal to 100% of the Federal SSI Standard. However, if the individual is going to a nursing home directly from a hospital or rehabilitation facility, the higher income limit of 250% of the Federal SSI standard will be applied.
For out of state rehabilitation the income limit is 250% of the Federal SSI standard.
Refer to DSSM sections 20200, 20210, and 20240 for additional guidelines regarding income.
Resource Guidelines
The resource limit is $2,000.00. Refer to DSSM sections 20300 – 20360, and 20400 for additional information on determining countable resources.
Spousal
If applicable, Spousal Impoverishment rules should be followed. (DSSM 20900)
Financial Redetermination
A redetermination of the individual’s financial eligibility should be completed at six month intervals.
Post Eligibility Budgeting
There is a patient pay requirement for these individuals. The patient pay amount is determined in accordance with DSSM section 20600 - (Post-Eligibility Definitions/Procedures). Notification of patient pay amount and approval must be sent to the appropriate hospital/rehabilitation social worker.
Medicaid Eligibility Effective Date
In no case shall the effective date of eligibility be earlier than the first day of hospitalization.
