12.12 Adoption Assistance Medicaid

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(12) Adoption Assistance

Policy Title:

Adoption Assistance Medicaid

Policy Number:

12.12

Previous Policy Number(s):

N/A

Effective Date:

December 2020

Manual Transmittal:

2020-10

Codes/References

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985

Requirements

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) will:

  1. Conduct an annual redetermination of Medicaid for children who receive adoption assistance Medicaid; and

  2. Provide Georgia Medicaid under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) Reciprocity to a child who is residing in Georgia and receiving adoption assistance and Medicaid from another state.

Procedures

Annual Redetermination

The Revenue Maximization Unit (Rev Max) Medicaid Eligibility Specialist will:

  1. Provide notification to the Social Services Case Manager (SSCM) 60 days prior to a child’s annual Medicaid redetermination.

The SSCM will:

  1. Within five business days of the Rev Max notification, send the Adoption Assistance Annual Information Update form to the adoptive parent(s) requesting completion and return of the form within 10 business days.

    If the Adoption Assistance Annual Information Update is not returned within the provided timeframe, attempts should be made to contact the adoptive parent(s) by other means. If repeated attempts to contact the adoptive parent(s) are unsuccessful, the Social Services Administration Unit (SSAU) should be notified.

  2. Within five business days of receipt of the redetermination material from the adoptive parent(s):

    1. Complete the Annual Medicaid Redetermination section of the Adoption Assistance Memorandum in Georgia SHINES;

    2. Attach any supporting documents (i.e., medical insurance) provided by the adoptive parent(s);

    3. Obtain the Social Services Supervisor’s signature of approval on the Adoption Assistance Memorandum; and

    4. Forward the Adoption Assistance Memorandum and all supporting documentation to Rev Max for processing.

  3. Update any changes (e.g., address, contact information, etc.) in Georgia SHINES.

  4. Upload to Georgia SHINES External Documentation the Adoption Assistance Memorandum and all supporting documentation

If the Medicaid redetermination is not completed timely, the Medicaid will terminate.

Medicaid for Child Receiving Adoption Assistance from Another State

  1. The SSAU Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA) Coordinator will:

    1. Receive the adoption assistance Medicaid application; and

    2. Refer the information to Rev Max.

  2. The Rev Max Medicaid Eligibility Specialist will initiate the adoption assistance Medicaid application within 45 calendar days.

Where the term Social Services Case Manager is used in this policy section, the term Regional Post Adoption (PAD) Manager may also be appropriate, as both manage adoption assistance cases at different periods; however, the Regional PAD Manager does not require supervisor approval.

Practice Guidance

Failure to complete the Medicaid redetermination timely will result in Medicaid being terminated.

If the family that is/has relocated to Georgia contacts the county department, they will be referred to the SSAU’s ICAMA Coordinator. If a family is moving out of the state of Georgia and they receive adoption assistance, see policy 12.14 Adoption Assistance: Family Relocates.

Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA)

The Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (ICAMA) was established in 1986 to safeguard and protect the interstate interests of children covered by an adoption assistance agreement when they move or are adopted across state lines. ICAMA is an agreement between and among its member states that enables them to coordinate the provision of medical benefits and services to children receiving adoption assistance in interstate cases.

Forms and Tools

Adoption Assistance Annual Information Update