701-2 What to do With an Application

Effective Date:  February 1, 2012

Previous Policy

1. Each application must be processed to a decision for every applicant unless:

   • The client and other household members are already on the most beneficial medical program. (See Section 102-1 #10 when a new medical application is received for an open CHIP case.) If no better coverage is available, document that no action was taken on the application.

   • The client has already applied and that application is still pending. (See section 102-1 #9.)

   • The client withdraws the application.

   • The client cannot be located, in which case deny the application. If the client contacts the agency before the end of the application-processing period, resume the application process.

2. Deny applications that do not meet the signature requirements within the application-processing time as an incomplete application. Do not make a determination of eligibility.

   • See Section 102-1 on applications and signature.

   • See Section 102-1 and 701 on who can apply and how to get the best signature.

3. All applicants have the right to register to vote at application.

   • See Section 101 Voter Registration Requirements

4. Determine if any child applying for CHIP is eligible for coverage under Medicaid.

• Any additional verification needed for Medicaid is required for that child's eligibility.

• A child who is eligible for Medicaid is not eligible for CHIP.

• A child who is only eligible for Medicaid with a spenddown and chooses not to pay it may be eligible for CHIP.

5. Determine CHIP eligibility for any applicant who has applied for Medicaid, but was found ineligible. A new application is not required.

6. Request any needed verifications.

   • An interview may be helpful in gathering information, but is not required.

   • Screen the application and request the needed verifications.

   • Send a written request for verifications to the applicant. See Section 705 for more information on the verification process.

   • Give applicants at least 10 days from the mailing date of the request to return verifications. Applicants may request more time by the due date.  In which case, give applicants at least 10 more days.

   • Applicants have until the end of the application-processing period to provide verifications.  Do not deny an application for lack of verifications until the end of the processing period. The processing period is 30 days for CHIP.

   • Request only those verifications that the agency cannot obtain through other means like electronic matches.

7. Determine eligibility after receiving verifications. See Section 700.

8. Mail a notice of the eligibility decision to the applicant, and the representative if applicable. See Section 803.

9. Document decisions made on each application in the case record.