Non-Grant Medical Assistance (NGMA) overview

Revised date
Purpose statement

To describe the procedures to obtain a determination of disability or blindness that enables adults not receiving other assistance to be related to Medicaid on the basis of disability or blindness.

WAC 182-512-0050 SSI-related medical -- General information.

WAC 182-512-0050 SSI-related medical -- General information.

Effective April 14, 2014.

  1. The agency (which includes its designee for purposes of this chapter) provides health care coverage under the Washington apple health (WAH) categorically needy (CN) and medically needy (MN) SSI-related programs for SSI-related people, meaning those who meet at least one of the federal SSI program criteria as being:
    1. Age sixty-five or older;
    2. Blind with:
      1. Central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of a correcting lens; or
      2. A field of vision limitation so the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than twenty degrees.
    3. Disabled:
      1. "Disabled" means unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, which:
        1. Can be expected to result in death; or
        2. Has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months; or
        3. In the case of a child seventeen years of age or younger, if the child suffers from any medically determinable physical or mental impairment of comparable severity.
      2. Decisions on SSI-related disability are subject to the authority of:
        1. Federal statutes and regulations codified at 42 U.S.C. Section 1382c and 20 C.F.R., parts 404 and 416, as amended; and
        2. Controlling federal court decisions, which define the OASDI and SSI disability standard and determination process.
  2. A denial of Title II or Title XVI federal benefits by SSA solely due to failure to meet the blindness or disability criteria is binding on the agency unless the applicant's:
    1. Denial is under appeal in the reconsideration stage in SSA's administrative hearing process, or SSA's appeals council; or
    2. Medical condition has changed since the SSA denial was issued.
  3. The agency considers a person who meets the special requirements for SSI status under Sections 1619(a) or 1619(b) of the Social Security Act as an SSI recipient. Such a person is eligible for WAH CN health care coverage under WAC 182-510-0001.
  4. Persons referred to in subsection (1) must also meet appropriate eligibility criteria found in the following WAC and EA-Z Manual sections:
    1. For all programs:
      1. WAC 182-506-0015, Medical assistance units;
      2. WAC 182-504-0015, Categorically needy and WAC 182-504-0020, Medically needy certification periods;
      3. Program specific requirements in chapter 182-512 WAC;
      4. WAC 182-503-0050, Verification;
      5. WAC 182-503-0505, General eligibility requirements for medical programs;
      6. WAC 182-503-0540, Assignment of rights and cooperation;
      7. Chapter 182-516 WAC, Trusts, annuities and life estates.
    2. For LTC programs:
      1. Chapter 182-513 WAC, Long-term care services;
      2. Chapter 182-515 WAC, Waiver services.
    3. For WAH MN, chapter 182-519 WAC, Spenddown;
    4. For WAH HWD, program specific requirements in chapter 182-511 WAC.
  5. Aliens who qualify for medicaid coverage, but are determined ineligible because of alien status may be eligible for programs as specified in WAC 182-507-0110.
  6. The agency pays for a person's medical care outside of Washington according to WAC 182-501-0180.
  7. The agency follows income and resource methodologies of the supplemental security income (SSI) program defined in federal law when determining eligibility for SSI-related medical or medicare savings programs unless the agency adopts rules that are less restrictive than those of the SSI program.
  8. Refer to WAC 182-504-0125 for effects of changes on medical assistance for redetermination of eligibility.

This is a reprint of the official rule as published by the Office of the Code Reviser. If there are previous versions of this rule, they can be found using the Legislative Search page.

Clarifying information

An applicant who isn’t receiving a social security (Title II) cash payment based on a disability established by the Social Security Administration (SSA) may be eligible for SSI-related medical coverage under the Non Grant Medical Assistance (NGMA) program. Eligibility staff submit a request to Disability Determination Services (DDS) to determine whether a disability exists for the purposes of medical coverage only. If the individual is claiming disability, but is eligible for Medicaid through another program such as Apple Health for Adults or children’s medical, a NGMA decision is only necessary if the individual is applying for long term services and supports based on disability (such as a Home and Community Services (HCS) or Developmental Disabilities Community Services (DDCS) home and community based waiver) or for the Healthcare for Workers with disabilities (HWD) program. See more information about HWD below.

When an individual who receives SSA is admitted to an Institute of Mental Disease (IMD), SSA suspends cash benefits, but they are still considered disabled until SSA completes a disability review. This status continues for the individual even if their disability review date has passed during their treatment. A request for a NGMA disability determination is not required if SSDI benefits are suspended due to reasons not related to disability: S6 (address unknown or payee being established), S7 (Inmate of Public Institution) or S8 (pending for a representative payee)
For more information on how SSA determines a qualifying disability see the SSA document called How we decide if you still have a qualifying disability.

When exiting an IMD, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) clients continue to meet disability requirements for Medicaid or waiver services unless terminated for a reason not related to the IMD. SSA terminates SSI after an individual has been in non-pay status for one year. These clients require a NGMA if one is needed for Medicaid eligibility. 

The elimination of the NGMA process for individuals whose SSDI has been suspended due to hospitalization will help streamline approvals for coverage and services needed to support a successful return to the community.

Note: If an applicant is receiving SSI or SSDI, do not refer for a NGMA decision. If an individual has been denied for SSI or SSDI in the last year, do not refer for a NGMA unless the individual reports that their medical condition has worsened or that they have a new disabling condition.

DDS doesn’t consider the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) test when determining if an individual meets the functional disability criteria, but it can affect Medicaid eligibility. If earned income is above SGA and the individual does not receive federal cash benefits, then Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD) (S08), which waives the SGA test, may provide coverage.

Note: HWD may also provide coverage for an individual meeting program requirements when the individual has assets exceeding the resource limit.

Worker responsibilities

  1. On receipt of request for a Medicaid decision:
    1. Review the referral and Equal Access services information.
    2. Confirm the applicant is claiming blindness or disability. If the claim does not appear to meet SSA disability criteria, explains this to the applicant or representative and suggest the application be withdrawn. Obtain a withdrawal request if the applicant or representative agrees. Explain the following points about the determination process:
      1. DDS makes the determination of blindness or disability.
      2. The standard of promptness date is 60 days, but additional time may be required.
      3. The individual has a right to request a hearing if they disagree with the decision and it will be the responsibility of DDS to defend the decision.
      4. The individual is required to pay a monthly premium if earning more than the current SGA amount and eligible for coverage only under the HWD program.
  2. Review of financial information:
    1. If the applicant is not working, and the applicant’s countable resources meet the following resource standards, complete a NGMA decision referral. The applicant is not eligible for HWD, if not working, but may be eligible for coverage under another Medicaid program. If the individual is under age 65 and not eligible for Medicare, coverage might also be available under the new adult group based on the MAGI methodology. See Health care for adults in the Apple Health eligibility manual.
      1. For SSI related categorically needy (CN) (WAC 182-512-0010)
        1. One person $2,000.
        2. Married couple $3,000.
      2. For SSI related medically needy (MN) (WAC 182-512-0150)
        1. Add $50 for each additional family member.
      3. For Long Term Care programs, see WAC 182-513-1395.

        Non-Grant Medical Assistance (NGMA) - examples

  3. If the applicant is working, and their income is over SGA standard or their resources exceed the standard described in 2.(a) above, forward the application, using the contact information listed below. (WAC 182-511-1150 Health care for workers with disabilities (HWD) -- Disability requirements in the HWD chapter).
  4. Send the following forms to the applicant for completion and signature.
    Medical Disability Report and Decision, DSHS 14-144A.
    Medical Information Release Form SSA 827.
  5. Initiate a NGMA referral to DDS through the Barcode NGMA application. Each referral must contain the following:
    1. Transmittal Summary, DSHS 14-144.
    2. Medical Disability Report and Decision, DSHS 14-144A.
    3. Medical Information Release Form SSA 827.
  6. Request retroactive approval if applicant had a medical need in any of the three months before the month of application and meets financial eligibility for each of the retroactive months.
  7. Medical Records. DDS support staff or adjudicators obtain medical records directly from DMS for initial applications and reconsiderations. DO NOT SEND PAPER MEDICAL RECORDS.

    Note: The Administrative Hearing Coordinator is still required to send a paper copy of an Administrative Hearings packet to the DDS adjudicator.

  8. Previous NGMA Packet. If the individual is reapplying or requesting continued NGMA benefits:
    1. Initiate a redetermination referral to DDS through the Barcode NGMA application.
    2. Document all actions in ACES.
    3. Pend the application until a decision is received from DDS. Document the reason for delays beyond 60 days from the date of application in ACES.
  9. When DDS returns the disability determination form 14-144:
    1. If the individual meets the disability criteria, open medical care in the appropriate category, based on income and resources per WAC 182-508-0001.
    2. Enter the end date and the determination date on the DEM2 ACES screen, and send a request for a redetermination to DDS at least 30 days prior to the review end date.
    3. If the reexam has been waived by DDS, no end date is required.
    4. If the applicant does not meet the disability criteria, consider the applicant for all other medical programs, or allow the individual to provide new medical information to be forwarded to DDS for reconsideration.
  10. See Administrative Hearing chapter (Chapter 182-526 WAC) for hearing and reconsideration procedures. For additional information, see Non-Grant Medical Assistance (NGMA) hearings and Special Procedures on Non-Grant Medical Assistance and Health Care Authority hearings.

Definitions

  • Aged: Age 65 or older.
  • Blind: A corrected central visual acuity of 20/200 or a 20 degree field of vision limitation.
  • Disability: The inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
  • Disability Determination Services (DDS):The state entity that uses federal criteria to determine disability or blindness under an agreement with the Social Security Administration.
  • Apple Health for Workers with Disabilities (HWD): An Apple Health program that enables many people with disabilities to work and keep their health care.
  • Non Grant Medical Assistance (NGMA): The process through which the department makes a disability determination for individuals who are not receiving Title II cash benefits based on disability.
  • Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA): A person who is earning more than a certain monthly amount (net of impairment-related work expenses) is ordinarily considered to be engaging in SGA.

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