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Transitional Medicaid
Youth are provided information on
Transitional Medicaid during the Preparation for Adult Living Classes. The PAL
Coordinator and the child's caseworker will also provide this information. At
the time the youth ages out of care, the child's caseworker is responsible for
notifying the FPS eligibility worker of the child's status. The eligibility
worker makes the necessary contact with DHS. The youth is provided with the
phone number of the DHS Centralized Benefits Section, who will assist youth if
there are nay problems in the system or if there are address changes etc. DHS
staff will send the youth a yearly application. The youth must submit this
application in order to renew their Medicaid. Youth are potentially eligible
through the month of their 21st birthday and must continue to meet the
eligibility criteria in order to remain eligible.
If you are age 18 or 19 years old and leave foster care voluntarily,
you may be eligible for continuous Medicaid coverage until you reach
21!
It’s the Law
Senate Bill 51 was
passed and signed into law, effective September 1, 2001. This law
requires the state to provide uninterrupted Medicaid coverage to
young people who age out of foster care at age 18 through the month
of their 21st birthday.
Certification Process
The Department of Family
and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for initially
certifying young people who are eligible for Transitional Medicaid
coverage as they age out of foster care, which provides them with
uninterrupted Medicaid coverage.
If you are age 18 or 19
and leave foster care voluntarily, your caseworker must notify the
eligibility specialist within three days after you leave care. The
eligibility specialist will then determine if you meet the
Transitional Medicaid eligibility requirements based on the
eligibility list, below. You are initially certified for
Transitional Medicaid when the foster care eligibility specialist
ends your foster care eligibility and opens your Medicaid
eligibility.
Eligibility Requirements
You are eligible for
continuous Medicaid coverage through the month of your 21st birthday
if:
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You have aged out of foster care at
age 18 or older You are a current Texas resident between 18 and
21 years of age
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You are a U.S. citizen, a legal
permanent resident, or other qualified alien
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You have no private comprehensive
medical insurance through a family member or work, or other
Medicaid coverage through SSI, TANF, or another HHSC (formerly
the Department of H
-
uman Services, or DHS) Medicaid program
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Your total resources are valued at
less than $10,000
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Your income is below 400 percent of
the current federal poverty level for one person, which is $3104
per month for 2005. To obtain federal poverty levels, go to
www.aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/
The following items are not considered income or resources:
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The value of one vehicle
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Any financial benefit used for the
purpose of educational or vocational training, such as
scholarships and student loans or grants
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Any financial benefit used for the
purpose of housing
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Any grants or subsidies obtained as
a result of the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999
Changes in
Eligibility
You must continue to
meet the eligibility requirements in order for coverage to continue.
You will receive a renewal application before the end of your
12-month eligibility period until you reach age 21. You must report
all changes that might affect your eligibility. And you will be
responsible for completing the renewal application and returning it
by mail. This will help to ensure you receive your Medicaid card.
Contact Information
Call Centralized
Benefits Services and ask to speak to someone about Medicaid for
young people transitioning from foster care.
Toll Free:
1-800-248-1078
Jordan ext 8126
Shane ext 8145
Dody ext 8131
Toll Free Fax:
1-866-246-8444
Local Austin Fax:
(512) 908-9525 or (512) 908-9515
You may call your local
HHSC office for assistance. You may also call your regional
Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff of or CPS worker.
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