Public Emergency Unwind Ending - Changes for Medical Programs

Illinois Department of Human Services logo
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services logo

05/30/2024

Policy Memo

Summary:

  • The Public Health Emergency (PHE) unwinding is coming to an end. Customers with a redetermination due date of 05/31/2024 are the last of the first round of annual redeterminations.
  • Redeterminations will continue each month moving forward.
  • This memo provides guidance on the flexibilities Illinois is continuing and those that will expire.



Continuing Verifications and Processes for Medical


Verification/Process  Description  End Date
Self-Attestation for Verification of Income When electronic verification is not available, customer attestation may continue to be accepted for income.  Permanent, no end date. 
Self-Attestation for Verification of Insured Status  When electronic verification is not available, customer attestation may continue to be accepted for insured status.  Permanent, no end date. 
Reasonable Compatibility Threshold  The reasonable compatibility threshold will remain at 30%.  Permanent, no end date.
Process of Determining Ex-parte for AABD when AVS does not Return Information  Allows the ex-parte redetermination to be made using known case information when the Asset Verification System did not find anything for customers whose medical coverage requires an asset test.  Federal approval allows Illinois to continue this through June 30, 2025. 


PHE Flexibilities Discontinuing


PHE Flexibility End Date Updated Process
Self-Attestation for Illinois residency Expires 05/31/2024. Self-attestation for Illinois residence will no longer be accepted. Beginning June 1, 2024, Illinois residence must be verified. If electronic verification is not available, request proof from the customer.
Suspension of Premiums for HBWD Expires 06/30/2024. Beginning July 1, 2024, Premiums will resume for HBWD.
Self-Attestation for Medical Expenses Expires 05/31/2024. Self-attestation for medical expenses will no longer be accepted. Beginning June 1, 2024, Self-attestation for medical expenses will not be allowed. Proof must be provided to apply medical expenses to meet spenddown or to reduce group care credit for long term care cases.
MAGI Adult Presumptive Eligibility Expired on 05/11/2024. Beginning May 12, 2024, Presumptive eligibility will no longer be allowed for MAGI Adults. This will be turned off in IES.
Self-Attestation for Disability Expires on 05/31/2024. Self-attestation for disability will no longer be accepted. Beginning June 1, 2024, Self-attestation for disability will no longer be allowed. If electronic verification is not available, request proof from the customer.
Two Presumptive Eligibility (PE) Approvals per Calendar Year Expired 05/11/2024. Beginning May 12, 2024, only one Presumptive Eligibility segment will be allowed per calendar year, and only children will be eligible for PE.
Redetermination Grace Period Expires 05/31/2024. Starting with customers whose redetermination due date is 06/30/2024, there will no longer be a 30-day grace period.


Until system changes can be completed, it is necessary to use existing values in IES that will allow approval of medical. SNAP will not allow the use of self-attestation. The following is guidance regarding the use of the verification values when accepting self-attestation for each of these criteria. A case comment indicating that self-attestation was accepted and for which criteria should also be completed.

When electronic verification is not available and no verification was provided with the application, use the information provided on the application and select the following verification value.

  • Earned Income - use AWVS as the verification value. This will pend other benefits but will allow medical to be approved.
  • Unearned Income - Select Other Acceptable.
    • IMPORTANT: This verification value is acceptable for all benefits. If self-attestation is being accepted for anyone requesting SNAP or Cash - run eligibility - ONLY certify the medical benefits, then return to Data Collection and update the value to client statement and run eligibility again to pend and send the VCL.
  • Self-Employment - Select Other Acceptable.



Obsoleted COVID-19 Policy Memos

  • COVID-19 Adult Presumptive Eligibility - Release Date 04/18/2020
  • COVID 19 Suspension of the Collection of Premiums and Copayments for Medical Programs - Release Date 07/28/2020
  • COVID-19 Pandemic Response - Updated Verification Requirements for Medical Applications - Release Date 04/02/2020
  • COVID-19 Pandemic Response - Updated Verification Requirements for Medical Applications and Active Cases - Release Date 01/13/2021


[signed copy on file]

Dulce M. Quintero

Secretary-Designate, Illinois Department of Human Services

Elizabeth M. Whitehorn

Director, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services