Virginia Law

The following words and terms, when used in these regulations, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Action" means a termination of, suspension of, or reduction in covered benefits or services; a termination, suspension, or reduction in Medicaid eligibility; or an increase in beneficiary liability, including a determination that a beneficiary must incur a greater amount of medical expenses in order to establish income eligibility in accordance with 42 CFR 435.121(e)(4) or 42 CFR 435.831 or is subject to an increase in premiums or cost-sharing charges under Subpart A of 42 CFR Part 447. It also means (i) determinations by a skilled nursing facility or nursing facility to transfer or discharge a resident and (ii) an adverse determination made by a state with regard to the preadmission screening and resident review requirements of § 1919(e)(7) of the Social Security Act.

"Adverse determination" means a determination made in accordance with § 1919(b)(3)(F) or 1919(e)(7)(B) of the Social Security Act that the individual does not require the level of services provided by a nursing facility or that the individual does or does not require specialized services.

"Agency" means:

1. An agency that, on the department's behalf, makes determinations regarding applications for benefits provided by the department; or

2. The department itself.

"Appellant" means (i) an applicant for or recipient of medical assistance benefits from the department who seeks to challenge an action regarding his benefits or his eligibility for benefits and (ii) a nursing facility resident who seeks to challenge a transfer or discharge. Appellant also means an individual who seeks to challenge an adverse determination regarding services provided by a nursing facility.

"Date of action" means the intended date on which a termination, suspension, reduction, transfer, or discharge becomes effective. It also means the date of the determination made by a state with regard to the preadmission screening and annual resident review requirements of § 1919(e)(7) of the Social Security Act.

"Department" means the Department of Medical Assistance Services.

"Division" means the department's Appeals Division.

"Final decision" means a written determination by a hearing officer that is binding on the department, unless modified on appeal or review.

"Hearing" means the evidentiary hearing described in this chapter, conducted by a hearing officer employed by the department.

"Representative" means an attorney or agent who has been authorized to represent an appellant pursuant to these regulations.

"Send" means to deliver by mail or in electronic format consistent with 42 CFR 431.201 and 42 CFR 435.918.