Part III. Eligibility Determination and Application Requirements
12VAC30-141-100. General conditions of eligibility.
A. An LDSS, DMAS, or the CPU determines eligibility for Title XXI services.
B. FAMIS shall be in effect statewide.
C. FAMIS serves targeted low-income children consistent with requirements at 42 CFR 457.310, 42 CFR 457.315, and 42 CFR 457.320.
D. Each individual covered under the plan shall be:
1. Financially eligible to receive services as established using the methods and standards described in subsection F of this section; and
2. Meet the applicable nonfinancial eligibility conditions.
E. Nonfinancial eligibility conditions.
1. Eligible individuals shall be younger than 19 years of age.
2. Eligible individuals shall be residents of the Commonwealth. A child is considered to be a resident of the Commonwealth under the following conditions:
a. A noninstitutionalized child if capable of indicating intent and who is emancipated or married if the child is living in the state and intends to reside in the state, including without a fixed address;
b. A noninstitutionalized child not described in subdivision E 2 a of this section and who is not in the custody of the state:
(1) Residing in the state, with or without a fixed address; or
(2) The state of residency of the parent or caretaker, in accordance with 42 CFR.435.403(h)(1), with whom the individual resides;
c. An institutionalized child who is not a ward of the state if the state is the state of residence of the child's custodial parent or caretaker at the time of placement;
d. A child who is in the custody of the state regardless of where the child lives; or
e. A child physically located in the state when there is a dispute with one or more states as to the child's actual state of residence.
3. FAMIS eligibility is open to:
a. United States citizens;
b. United States nationals;
c. Qualified noncitizens as defined in § 431 of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) (8 USC § 1641) or whose eligibility is required by § 402(b) of PRWORA (8 USC § 1612(b)) and is not prohibited by § 403 of PRWORA (8 USC § 1613);
d. Individuals who have declared themselves to be citizens or nationals of the United States or an individual having satisfactory immigration status, during a reasonable opportunity period pending verification of their citizenship, nationality, or satisfactory immigration status consistent with requirements of §§ 1903(x), 1137(d), and 1902(ee) of the Social Security Act and 42 CFR 435.407, 42 CFR 407, 42 CFR 435.956, and 42 CFR 457.380.
(1) The reasonable opportunity period begins on and extends 90 calendar days from the date the notice of reasonable opportunity is received by the individual. "Notice of reasonable opportunity" means the written notice that is sent to the applicant to inform the applicant that the applicant must provide verification of citizenship and identity within 90 calendar days.
(2) An extension of the reasonable opportunity period is allowed if the individual is making a good faith effort to resolve any inconsistencies or obtain any necessary documentation, or the agency determining eligibility needs more time to complete the verification process.
(3) The agency will provide benefits to otherwise eligible individuals during the reasonable opportunity period;
e. Lawfully residing in the United States, as provided in § 2107(e)(1)(J) of the Social Security Act (§ 214 of CHIPRA 2009, P.L. 111-3). An individual is considered to be lawfully residing in the United States if the person is:
(1) A qualified noncitizen as defined in 8 USC § 1641(b) and (c);
(2) A noncitizen in a valid nonimmigrant status as defined in 8 USC § 1101(a)(15) or otherwise under the immigration laws (as defined in 8 USC § 1101 (a)(17));
(3) A noncitizen who has been paroled into the United States in accordance with 8 USC § 1182(d)(5) for less than one year, except for an individual paroled for prosecution, for deferred inspection, or pending removal proceedings;
(4) A noncitizen who belongs to one of the following classes:
(a) Granted temporary resident status in accordance with 8 USC § 1160 or 1255a, respectively;
(b) Granted temporary protected status (TPS) in accordance with 8 USC § 1254a and individuals with pending applications for TPS who have been granted employment authorization;
(c) Granted employment authorization under 8 CFR § 274a.12(c);
(d) Family unity beneficiaries in accordance with § 301 of P.L. 101-649, as amended;
(e) Under deferred enforced departure in accordance with a decision made by the President;
(f) Granted deferred action status;
(g) Granted an administrative stay of removal under 8 CFR 241; or
(h) Beneficiary of approved visa petition who has a pending application for adjustment of status;
(5) Is an individual with a pending application for asylum under 8 USC § 1158, for withholding of removal under 8 USC § 1231, or under the Convention Against Torture who:
(a) Has been granted employment authorization; or
(b) Is younger than 14 years of age and has had an application pending for at least 180 calendar days;
(6) Has been granted withholding of removal under the Convention Against Torture;
(7) Is a child who has a pending application for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status as described in 8 USC § 1101(a)(27)(J);
(8) Is lawfully present in American Samoa under the immigration laws of American Samoa; or
(9) Is a victim of severe trafficking in persons, in accordance with the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, P.L. 106-386, as amended (22 USC § 7105(b)).
f. An individual with deferred action under the Department of Homeland Security's deferred action for the childhood arrivals process, as described in the Secretary of Homeland Security's June 15, 2012, memorandum, shall not be considered to be lawfully present with respect to any of the categories in subdivision E 3 e of this section.
4. Eligible individuals shall be uninsured, that is, not have creditable health insurance coverage. "Creditable health insurance coverage" means coverage that meets the definition of 42 CFR 457.10.
a. Individuals eligible for FAMIS shall not be found eligible or potentially eligible for Medicaid under policies of the State Plan determined through the screening process described at 42 CFR 457.350.
b. Any child covered under a group health plan or under health insurance coverage, as defined in § 2791 of the Public Health Services Act (42 USC § 300gg-91(a) and (b)(1)), shall not be eligible for FAMIS.
(1) FAMIS shall not be a substitution for private insurance.
(2) Only uninsured children shall be eligible for FAMIS. A child is not considered to be insured if the health insurance plan covering the child does not have a network of providers in the area where the child resides. Each application for child health insurance shall include an inquiry about health insurance. Each redetermination of eligibility shall also document inquiry about current health insurance.
(3) Health insurance does not include Medicare, Medicaid, FAMIS, or insurance for which DMAS paid premiums under Title XIX through the Health Insurance Premium Payment Program or under Title XXI through the state children's health insurance program premium assistance program known as FAMIS Select.
5. Residents of an institution. Eligible individuals may not be an inpatient in an institution for mental diseases or an inmate in a public institution that is not a medical facility at the time of the initial eligibility determination or redetermination.
6. Social Security Number.
a. All eligible individuals shall furnish their Social Security Numbers (SSNs), with the following exceptions: (i) individuals refusing to obtain a SSN because of well-established religious objections, (ii) individuals who are not eligible for a SSN, or (iii) individuals who are issued a SSN only for a valid nonwork purpose.
b. DMAS or its designee shall:
(1) Assist individuals who are required to provide their SSN to apply for or obtain an SSN from the Social Security Administration if the individuals do not have or forgot their SSNs;
(2) Inform individuals required to provide their SSNs (i) by what statutory authority the number is required to be provided; and (ii) how the Commonwealth will use the SSN;
(3) Verify each SSN furnished by applicants or beneficiaries with the Social Security Administration; and
(4) Not deny or delay services to an otherwise eligible applicant pending issuance or verification of the individual's SSN by the Social Security Administration.
c. The utilization of the SSN is consistent with §§ 205 and 1137 of the Social Security Act and the Privacy Act of 1974.
d. DMAS requests nonapplicant household members to voluntarily provide their SSNs. When requesting an SSN for nonapplicant household members, DMAS (i) informs the nonapplicant that this information is voluntary and provides information regarding how the SSN will be used and (ii) uses the SSN for determination of eligibility for Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or other insurance affordability programs or for a purpose directly connected with the administration of the state plan.
F. Financial eligibility.
1. Screening. All applications shall have a Medicaid income eligibility screen completed. Children determined to be ineligible for Medicaid due to excess income will have their eligibility for FAMIS determined.
2. Standards.
a. The Commonwealth shall apply modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) methodologies for all separate CHIP covered groups, consistent with 42 CFR 457.315 and 435.603(b) through (i). FAMIS shall be available for targeted low-income children. Income standards shall be applied statewide. Children from birth to age 19 years who have income above the Medicaid-eligible limit at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, with a 5% income disregard, shall be income eligible to participate in FAMIS.
b. In determining family size for the eligibility determination of other individuals in the household that includes a pregnant woman, the pregnant woman is counted just as herself.
c. Financial eligibility is determined consistent with the following provisions:
(1) For new applicants, financial eligibility is based on the monthly income and family size.
(2) When determining eligibility for current beneficiaries, financial eligibility is based on current monthly household income and family size.
(3) In determining current household income, the agency will use reasonable methods to account for current income and reasonable prediction of changes in future income or family size.
d. Unless an exception exists, as provided at 42 CFR 457.315 and 42 CFR 435.603(d)(2) through (d)(4), household income is the sum of the MAGI-based income for every person counted in the individual's MAGI household.
3. Spenddown. The Commonwealth shall not apply a spenddown process for FAMIS where household income exceeds the income eligibility limit for FAMIS.
G. Eligibility of newborns.
1. If a child otherwise eligible for FAMIS is born within the three months prior to the month in which a signed application is received, the eligibility for coverage is effective retroactive to the child's date of birth if the child would have met all eligibility criteria during that time.
2. A child born to a targeted low-income pregnant woman is deemed to have applied for and be eligible for FAMIS or Medicaid until the child turns age one year in accordance with § 2112 of the Social Security Act. "Targeted low-income pregnant woman" means an uninsured pregnant woman whose household income is within the Medicaid or FAMIS MOMS eligibility standards established by the Commonwealth.
a. The child is deemed to have applied for and been found eligible for FAMIS or Medicaid, as appropriate, as of the date of the child's birth and remains eligible without regard to changes in circumstances until the child's first birthday.
b. DMAS shall cover as a deemed newborn a child born to a mother who is covered under Medicaid or CHIP through the authority of the state's § 1115 demonstration on the date of the newborn's birth.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 22, Issue 26, eff. October 4, 2006; Volume 23, Issue 7, eff. January 10, 2007; Volume 26, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2010; Volume 26, Issue 12, eff. March 17, 2010; Volume 27, Issue 7, eff. January 5, 2011; Volume 29, Issue 21, eff. July 17, 2013; Volume 30, Issue 20, eff. July 3, 2014; Volume 32, Issue 20, eff. June 29, 2016; Volume 35, Issue 20, eff. June 26, 2019.
12VAC30-141-110. Duration of eligibility and renewal.
A. The effective date of FAMIS eligibility shall be the date of birth for a newborn deemed eligible under 12VAC30-141-100 G. For all other children, the effective date of FAMIS eligibility shall be the first day of the month in which a signed completed application was received by either the LDSS or CPU if the applicant met all eligibility requirements in that month. In no case shall a child's eligibility be effective earlier than the date of the child's birth.
B. Eligibility for FAMIS will continue for 12 months so long as the child remains a resident of Virginia and the child's countable income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level. A child born to a mother who was enrolled in FAMIS, under either the Title XXI Plan or a related waiver (such as FAMIS MOMS), on the date of the child's birth shall remain eligible for one year regardless of income unless otherwise found to be eligible for Medicaid. A change in eligibility will be effective the first of the month following expiration of a 10-calendar-day advance notice. Eligibility based on all eligibility criteria listed in 12VAC30-141-100 D will be redetermined no less often than annually.
C. Renewal of coverage.
1. Renewal of coverage for individuals whose financial eligibility is based on the applicable modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) standard are performed as follows, consistent with 42 CFR 457.343:
a. Renewal of coverage is completed once every 12 months, and
b. Without requiring information from the individual if able to do so based on an ex parte review of reliable information contained in the individual's account or other more current information available to the agency.
2. If the agency cannot determine eligibility solely on the basis of the ex parte review or otherwise needs additional information to complete the redetermination, the individual is provided with a renewal form that is prepopulated with information contained in the individual's case. The individual shall be allowed 30 calendar days to return the renewal form and the necessary verifications.
If the individual's coverage is canceled because the renewal was not completed (either electronically, by phone, or on paper) or because verifications needed to complete the renewal were not returned, the individual has 90 calendar days after the coverage is canceled to provide the information necessary to complete the renewal without having to file a new application. This 90-calendar-day period is called the reconsideration period. If all necessary information is provided during the reconsideration period and the individual found eligible, enrollment will be restored without any lapse in coverage.
Statutory Authority
§ of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC § 1396 et seq.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 26, Issue 12, eff. March 17, 2010; Volume 27, Issue 7, eff. January 5, 2011; Volume 35, Issue 20, eff. June 26, 2019.
12VAC30-141-120. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 7, eff. January 10, 2007; Volume 25, Issue 14, eff. April 15, 2009; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 35, Issue 20, eff. June 26, 2019.
12VAC30-141-130. Nondiscriminatory provisions.
FAMIS shall be conducted in compliance with all civil rights requirements. FAMIS shall not:
1. Discriminate during the eligibility determination process on the basis of diagnosis;
2. Cover children of higher income without first covering children with a lower family income within a defined group of covered targeted low-income children; and
3. Deny eligibility based on a child having a preexisting medical condition.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2003.
12VAC30-141-140. No entitlement.
In accordance with § 2102(b)(4) of the Social Security Act and § 32.1-353 of the Code of Virginia, FAMIS shall not create any entitlement for, right to, or interest in payment of medical services on the part of any medically indigent child or any right or entitlement to participation.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2003.
12VAC30-141-150. Application requirements.
A. Availability of program information. DMAS or its designee shall furnish the following information in written form and orally as appropriate to all applicants and to other individuals who request it:
1. The eligibility requirements;
2. Summary of covered benefits;
3. Copayment amounts required; and
4. The rights and responsibilities of applicants and enrollees.
B. Opportunity to apply. DMAS or its designee must afford an individual, wishing to do so, the opportunity to apply. Applicants may file an application by mail, by fax, by phone, via the internet, or in person at local departments of social services. Face-to-face interviews for the program are not required. Eligibility determinations for FAMIS shall occur at either local departments of social services, DMAS, or the CPU.
C. Application. DMAS or its designee shall require an application from the applicant if the applicant is at least 18 years of age or older, or from a parent, adult relative caretaker, guardian, legal custodian, or authorized representative if the applicant is younger than 18 years of age or the applicant is incapacitated. "Incapacitated" means a person who, pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, has been found to be incapable of receiving and evaluating information effectively or responding to people, events, or environments to such an extent that the individual lacks the capacity to (i) meet the essential requirements of his health, care, safety, or therapeutic needs without the assistance or protection of a guardian, or (ii) manage property or financial affairs or provide for his support or for the support of his legal dependents without the assistance or protection of a conservator.
1. DMAS employs a single, streamlined application developed by the state and approved by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with § 1413(b)(I)(B) of the Affordable Care Act.
2. DMAS may employ an alternative application used to apply for multiple human service programs approved by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, provided that the agency makes readily available the single or alternative application used only for insurance affordability programs to individuals seeking assistance only through such programs.
D. Right to apply. An individual who is 18 years of age shall not be refused the right to complete an application for himself and shall not be discouraged from asking for assistance for himself under any circumstances.
E. Applicant's signature. The applicant must sign state-approved application forms submitted, even if another person fills out the form, unless the application is filed and signed by the applicant's parent, adult relative caretaker, legal guardian or conservator, attorney-in-fact or authorized representative.
F. The authorized representative for an individual 18 years of age or older shall be those individuals as set forth in 12VAC30-110-1380.
G. The authorized representative for children younger than 18 years of age shall be those individuals as set forth in 12VAC30-110-1390.
H. Persons prohibited from signing an application. An employee of, or an entity hired by, a medical service provider who stands to obtain FAMIS payments shall not sign an application for health insurance on behalf of an individual who cannot designate an authorized representative.
I. Assistance with application. DMAS or its designee shall allow an individual of the applicant's choice to assist and represent the applicant in the application process, a renewal process, or both.
J. Timely determination of eligibility. The time processing standards for determining eligibility begin with the date an application is submitted online, by telephone, by fax, or received in hard copy either at a LDSS or the CPU. An application for health insurance shall have an eligibility determination performed within the established federal case processing time standards.
K. Notice of the decision concerning eligibility. The determining agency shall send each applicant a written notice of the agency's or designee's decision on the applicant's application, and if approved, the applicant's obligations under the program. If eligibility for both FAMIS and Medicaid is denied, notice must be given concerning the reasons for the action and an explanation of the applicant's right to request a review of the adverse actions, as described in 12VAC30-141-50.
L. Case documentation. The determining agency shall include in each applicant's record all necessary facts to support the decision on the applicant's application and must dispose of each application by a finding of eligibility or ineligibility, unless (i) there is an entry in the case record that the applicant voluntarily withdrew the application and that the agency or its designee sent a notice confirming the applicant's decision; or (ii) there is a supporting entry in the case record that the applicant cannot be located.
M. Case maintenance. All cases approved for FAMIS shall be maintained at local departments of social services or another entity designated by DMAS. The determining agency will be responsible for providing newly enrolled recipients with program information, benefits available, how to secure services under the program, a FAMIS handbook, and for processing changes in eligibility and annual renewals within established timeframes. DMAS outreach resources may also provide information or assistance to the enrollee.
N. Renewal of eligibility. DMAS, LDSS, or the CPU shall redetermine the eligibility of enrollees with respect to circumstances that may change at least every 12 months. During the 12-month period of coverage, enrollees must make timely and accurate reports if an enrollee no longer resides in the Commonwealth of Virginia or when changes in income exceed 200% of the federal poverty level plus a 5.0% income disregard. The agency responsible for managing the case shall promptly redetermine eligibility when it receives information about changes in a FAMIS enrollee's circumstances that may affect eligibility. DMAS or its designee may assist with documenting changes reported by the enrollee.
O. Notice of decision concerning eligibility. The agency responsible for managing the case shall give enrollees timely notice of proposed action to terminate their eligibility under FAMIS. The notice must meet the requirements of 42 CFR 457.1180.
Statutory Authority
§ 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 USC§ 1396 seq.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 21, eff. August 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 23, Issue 7, eff. January 10, 2007; Volume 35, Issue 20, eff. June 26, 2019.