SECTION 317:35-6-60. Certification for SoonerCare for pregnant women and families with children

  An individual determined eligible for SoonerCare may be certified for a medical service provided on or after the date of certification. The period of certification may not be for a retroactive period unless otherwise prior approved by OHCA. The individual who is categorically needy and related to pregnancy- related services retains eligibility for the period covering prenatal, delivery and postpartum periods without regard to eligibility for other household members in the case. Eligibility during the postpartum period does not apply to women receiving pregnancy-related coverage under Title XXI.

(1)   Certification as a TANF (cash assistance) recipient. A categorically needy individual who is determined eligible for TANF is certified effective the first day of the month of TANF eligibility.

(2)   Certification of non-cash assistance individuals related to the children and parent and caretaker relative groups. The certification period for the individual related to the children or parent and caretaker relative groups is 12 months. The certification period can be less than 12 months if the individual:

(A)   is certified as eligible in a money payment case during the 12-month period;

(B)   is certified for long-term care during the 12-month period;

(C)   becomes ineligible for SoonerCare after the initial month; or

(D)   becomes financially ineligible.

(i)   If an income change after certification causes the case to exceed the income standard, the case is closed.

(ii)   Individuals, however, who are determined pregnant and financially eligible continue to be eligible for pregnancy-related services through the prenatal, delivery and postpartum period, regardless of income changes. A pregnant individual included in a TANF case which closes continues to be eligible for pregnancy related services through the postpartum period.

(3)   Certification of individuals related to pregnancy-related services. The certification period for the individual related to pregnancy-related services will cover the prenatal, delivery and postpartum periods. The postpartum period is defined as the two months following the month the pregnancy ends. Financial eligibilityis based on the income received in the first month of the certification period. No consideration is given to changes in income after certification.

(4)   Certification of newborn child deemed eligible.

(A)   Every newborn child is deemed eligible on the date of birth for SoonerCare when the child is born to a woman who is eligible for and enrolled in pregnancy-related services as categorically needy. The newborn child is deemed eligible through the last day of the month the newborn child attains the age of one year. The newborn child's eligibility is not dependent on the mother's continued eligibility. The mother's coverage may expire at the end of the postpartum period; however, the newborn child is deemed eligible until age one. The newborn child's eligibility is based on the original eligibility determination of the mother for pregnancy-related services, and consideration is not given to any income or resource changes that occur during the deemed eligibility period.

(B)   The newborn child is deemed eligible for SoonerCare as long as he/she continues to live in Oklahoma. No other conditions of eligibility are applicable, including social security number enumeration, child support referral, and citizenship and identity verification. However, it is recommended that social security number enumeration be completed as soon as possible after the newborn child's birth. It is also recommended that a child support referral be completed, if needed, as soon as possible and sent to the Oklahoma Child Support Services (OCSS) division at OKDHS. The referral enables child support services to be initiated.

(C)   When a categorically needy newborn child is deemed eligible for SoonerCare, he/she remains eligible through the end of the month that the newborn child reaches age one. If the child's eligibility is moved from the case where initial eligibility was established, it is required that the newborn receive the full deeming period. The certification period is shortened only in the event the child:

(i)   loses Oklahoma residence; or

(ii)   expires.

(D)   A newborn child cannot be deemed eligible when the mother's only coverage was presumptive eligibility, and continued eligibility was not established.

[Source: Added at 16 Ok Reg 708, eff 1-1-99 (emergency); Added at 16 Ok Reg 1438, eff 5-27-99; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 646, eff 2-1-03 (emergency); Amended at 20 Ok Reg 1943, eff 6-26-03; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 2775, eff 7-1-03 (emergency); Amended at 21 Ok Reg 2234, eff 6-25-04; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 268, eff 9-1-05 (emergency); Amended at 23 Ok Reg 1378, eff 5-25-06; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 630, eff 1-14-10 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 711, eff 2-4-10 (emergency); Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1492, eff 6-11-10; Amended at 30 Ok Reg 1209, eff 7-1-13]