Clarifying Information
Usually, individuals age 18 or younger apply for health coverage with their custodial parent(s) or guardian(s). But, they may be able to get health coverage on their own if they:
- Live separately from their parents/guardians and are not claimed by them as a tax dependent;
- Are homeless;
- Are pregnant; or
- Need birth control or sexually transmitted infection care.
If an individual age 18 or younger wishes to apply for Apple Health, he or she must call 855-WAFINDER (855-923-4633).
Who can apply when there is a custodial dispute of a dependent?
The primary custodial parent or guardian.
In cases where it is not clearly established who the custodial parent is, whether because the court orders establishes joint custody or there is no formal order, the custodial parent is the parent with whom the child spends the most nights.
If it is claimed the child spends an equal number of nights with each parent, but for purposes of establishing Apple Health eligibility for that dependent, the agency accepts the application for the custodial parent or guardian that applied first.
This action does not prevent the other custodial parent or guardian from including that dependent on their application and counted towards their medical assistance unit.
For more information on determining a person's medical assistance unit see Household composition.
Who can apply for a deceased individual?
- Their spouse;
- The parent or caretaker relative as described in WAC 182-500-0020;
- A relative, either through blood, marriage, or adoption;
- The Executor, Administrator, or Personal Representative of the deceased's estate;
- A court appointed guardian who was appointed after the applicant or recipient's death; or
- Anyone legally authorized by the courts or by state law to act on behalf of the deceased or his or her estate.
Who cannot apply for a deceased individual?
- An Authorized Representative (AREP) who was designated while the applicant or recipient was living unless they are one of the following:
- Their spouse;
- The parent or caretaker relative as described in WAC 182-500-0020;
- A relative, either through blood, marriage, or adoption;
- The Executor, Administrator, or Personal Representative of the deceased's estate; or
- Anyone legally authorized by the courts or by state law to act on the behalf of the deceased or his or her estate
- An individual or organization assigned guardianship or Power of attorney (POA) while the applicant or recipient was living.
Guardianship and POAÂ assigned while the individual is living ends after the applicant or recipient is deceased.
Note: This information does not apply to long-term care applications that were received prior to the applicant's death. ALTSA will continue to work with the applicant's designee to approve or deny the request.
Power of Attorney defined:
A "power of attorney" (POA) is a legal document giving one person the legal power to act on behalf of someone else. A POA can grant someone a wide range of powers or a narrow range; it depends on what is written in the POA. The only way to know what powers are granted by a POA is to read the POA itself. A POA ends if:
- The applicant or recipient dies;
- The applicant or recipient becomes incompetent;
- The person who granted the power revokes the POA;
- The person who is given power by a POA terminates the POA; or
- A court invalidates the POA.
Durable Power of Attorney defined:
A durable power of attorney (DPOA) is a power of attorney that stays in effect even if the person who signed it becomes incompetent or incapacitated. A DPOA can grant someone a wide range of powers or a narrow range; it depends on what is written in the DPOA. The only way to know what powers are granted by a DPOA is to read the POA itself.Â
Note: A person who is already legally incompetent cannot create a valid DPOA.
A DPOA ends if:
- The applicant or recipient dies
- The person who granted the power revokes the DPOA;
- The person who is given power by a DPOA terminates the POA.
- The person who is given power by a DPOA cannot be found; or
- A court invalidates the DPOA.