2890 Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 to 21

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Medicaid Policy Manual

Policy Title:

Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 to 21

Effective Date:

January 2021

Chapter:

2800

Policy Number:

2890

Previous Policy Number(s):

MT 49

Updated or Reviewed in MT:

MT-63

Requirements

Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 to 21 provides coverage to youth ages 18 to 21 who have signed back into foster care and are receiving Extended Youth Support Services.

Basic Considerations

Beginning March 2014, eligibility for any non-IV-E foster care child under the age of 18 will no longer include the Child Welfare Foster Care Class of Assistance (COA). Eligibility for foster youth age 18 to 21 who have returned to foster care must be determined under Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 to 21.

A youth committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice has Medicaid eligibility determined for DJJ Medicaid Under Age 19.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 to 21 youth must meet the following Basic Eligibility Criteria:

  • Age 18 to 21 years

  • Receiving Extended Youth Support Services and in extended Foster Care

  • Application for other benefits, Reference Section 2210, Application for Other Benefits

  • Residency, reference Section 2225, Residency

  • Citizenship/immigration status

    Individuals who were in foster care are exempt from providing additional documentary evidence of citizenship/immigration status/identity as long as in foster care in Georgia.

  • Enumeration

  • Third party liability, Reference Section 2230, TPL

When a youth reaches the age of 18 he or she will remain in a foster care setting without interruption, and continue to receive independent living services if eligibility criteria was previously met. Those youth between the ages of 18 – 21 who have elected to exit foster care may request to return and participate in the Extended Youth Support Services, EYSS, within six months. Any requests beyond the six month period for EYSS are subject to DFCS approval.

Financial Eligibility Criteria

Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 – 21 years youth must meet Medicaid income and resource limits.

Refer to 2650 Family Medicaid Budgeting Overview and Appendix A2, Financial Limits for Family Medicaid.

The youth’s eligibility for Foster Care Medicaid age 18 – 21 years is determined according to the youth’s circumstances. Income and resources of the parent(s) or other specified relative(s) are not considered.

All earnings of a child are disregarded regardless of the age of the child; therefore, the earnings of a child up to 21 are disregarded. Although the child’s earnings are disregarded, the child’s resources must be considered and applied to the resource limit. If the child’s resources exceed the limit, he/she is ineligible for Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 – 21 years.

Other Considerations

Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 – 21 years eligibility continues through the month in which the youth reaches age 21, if all financial and non-financial requirements continue to be met.

Eligibility for Medicaid is not determined for the month of placement if the youth received Medicaid under another COA during that month.

Procedures

Follow the steps below to determine Medicaid eligibility under Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 – 21 years.

Determine eligibility of the youth under all basic Medicaid eligibility criteria except living with a specified relative.

Determine all resources of the child and complete the budgeting process using the Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 – 21 years resource limits.

If the youth meets all requirements, authorize Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 – 21 years and send a SHINES NOC to notify the SSCM. Include in the notification the beginning date of Medicaid eligibility and the Medicaid recipient number.

Continue Medicaid eligibility through the month in which the youth reaches age 21, as long as the youth continues to meet all requirements.

If the youth is determined ineligible for Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 – 21 years, complete a CMD prior to termination of Medicaid.

A Medicaid review is required annually.

If a Foster Care Medicaid Age 18 – 21 years youth under the age of 21 voluntarily leaves Extended Youth Support Services, upon receipt of notification and residential information, Rev Max will CMD the Medicaid case to Chafee Medicaid, reference Section 2818 – Chafee Medicaid.

Once a youth reaches the age of 21, Rev Max will CMD the case to Former Foster Care Medicaid upon receipt of notification and residential information, reference Section 2819 – Former Foster Care Medicaid.