(1)
Who can apply for refugee medical assistance? Anyone can apply for refugee medical assistance (RMA) and have eligibility determined by the department of social and health services (DSHS).
(2)
Who is eligible for refugee medical assistance? (a) You are eligible for RMA if you meet all of the following conditions:
(i) Immigration status requirements of WAC
388-466-0005;
(ii) Income and resource requirements of WAC
388-466-0140;
(iii) Monthly income standards up to two hundred percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). Spenddown is available for applicants whose income exceeds two hundred percent of FPL (see WAC
388-519-0110); and
(iv) Provide the name of the voluntary agency (VOLAG) which helped bring you to this country, so that DSHS can promptly notify the agency (or sponsor) about your application for RMA.
(b) You are eligible for RMA if you:
(i) Receive refugee cash assistance (RCA) and are not eligible for medicaid or children's healthcare programs as described in WAC
388-505-0210; or
(ii) Choose not to apply for or receive RCA and are not eligible for medicaid or children's healthcare programs as described in WAC
388-505-0210, but still meet RMA eligibility requirements.
(3)
Who is not eligible for refugee medical assistance? You are not eligible to receive RMA if you are:
(a) Already eligible for medicaid or children's healthcare programs as described in WAC
388-505-0210;
(b) A full-time student in an institution of higher education unless the educational activity is part of a department-approved individual responsibility plan (IRP);
(c) A nonrefugee spouse of a refugee.
(4)
If I have already received a cash assistance grant from voluntary agency (VOLAG), will it affect my eligibility for RMA? No. A cash assistance payment provided to you by your VOLAG is not counted in determining eligibility for RMA.
(5)
If I get a job after I have applied but before I have been approved for RMA, will my new income be counted in determining my eligibility? No. Your RMA eligibility is determined on the basis of your income and resources on the date of the application.
(6)
Will my sponsor's income and resources be considered in determining my eligibility for RMA? Your sponsor's income and resources are not considered in determining your eligibility for RMA unless your sponsor is a member of your assistance unit.
(7)
How do I find out if I am eligible for RMA? DSHS will send you a letter in both English and your primary language informing you about your eligibility. DSHS will also let you know in writing every time there are any changes or actions taken on your case.
(8)
Will RMA cover my medical expenses that occurred after I arrived in the U.S. but before I applied for RMA? You may be eligible for RMA coverage of your medical expenses for three months prior to the first day of the month of your application. Eligibility determination will be made according to medicaid rules.
(9)
If I am a victim of human trafficking, what kind of documentation do I need to provide to be eligible for RMA? You are eligible for RMA to the same extent as a refugee, if you are:
(a) An adult victim, eighteen years of age or older, and you provide the original certification letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). You also have to meet eligibility requirements in subsections (2)(a) and (b) of this section. You do not have to provide any other documentation of your immigration status. Your entry date will be the date on your certification letter.
(b) A child victim under the age of eighteen, in which case you do not need to be certified. DHHS issues a special letter for children. Children also have to meet income eligibility requirements.
(c) A family member of a certified victim of human trafficking, you have a T-2, T-3, T-4, or T-5 Visa (Derivative T-Visas), and you meet eligibility requirements in subsections (2)(a) and (b) of this section.
(10)
If I am an asylee, what date will be used as an entry date? If you are an asylee, your entry date will be the date that your asylum status is granted. For example, if you entered the United States on December 1, 1999 as a tourist, then applied for asylum on April 1, 2000, interviewed with the asylum office on July 1, 2000 and granted asylum on September 1, 2000, your date of entry is September 1, 2000. On September 1, 2000 you may be eligible for refugee medical assistance.
(11)
When does my RMA end? Your refugee medical assistance will end on the last day of the eighth month from the month of your entry into the United States. Start counting the eight months with the first day of the month of your entry into the U.S. For example, if you entered the U.S. on May 28, 2000, your last month is December 2000.
(12)
What happens if my earned income goes above the income standards? (a) If you are getting RMA, your medical eligibility will not be affected by the amount of your earnings;
(b) If you were getting medicaid and it was terminated because of your earnings, we will transfer you to RMA for the rest of your RMA eligibility period. You will not need to apply.
(13)
Will my spouse also be eligible for RMA, if he/she arrives into the U.S. after me? When your spouse arrives in the U.S., we will determine his/her eligibility for medicaid and other medical programs.
(a) If your spouse is eligible for RCA, he/she is automatically eligible for RMA.
(b) If your spouse is not eligible for RCA because your household's countable income exceeds the TANF income and resource standards described in chapter
388-450 and
388-470 WAC, he/she is eligible for RMA as long as the countable household income is below two hundred percent of federal poverty level (FPL) per WAC
388-466-0140(2).
(c) If your spouse is approved for RMA, he/she would have a maximum of eight months of RMA starting on the first day of the month of his/her arrival.
(14)
What do I do if I disagree with a decision or action that has been taken by DSHS on my case? If you disagree with the decision or action taken on your case by department you have the right to request a review of your case or request an administrative hearing (see WAC
388-02-0090). Your request must be made within ninety days of the date of the decision or action.
(15)
What happens to my medical coverage after my eligibility period is over? We will determine your eligibility for other medical programs. You may have to complete an application for another program.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.320, Pub. L. No. 110-181, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, Pub. L. No. 111-08, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009, Division F, Title VI, Section 602; Office of Refugee Resettlement State Letter 09-17 from April 9, 2009; and federal guidance issued on May 15, 2009, by the Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 09-21-046, § 388-466-0130, filed 10/14/09, effective 11/4/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08A.320, 74.08.090, and Public Law 110-161 Section 525; Public Law 110-181 Section 1244; FNS Admin Notice 08-17; State Letter 04-12 from the Office of Refugee Resettlement. 08-14-116, § 388-466-0130, filed 6/30/08, effective 8/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057. 04-05-010, § 388-466-0130, filed 2/6/04, effective 3/8/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.08A.320. 00-21-065, § 388-466-0130, filed 10/16/00, effective 11/1/00.]