OHCA Policies and Rules
317:35-5-25. Citizenship/noncitizen status and identity verification requirements
[Revised 09-11-23]
(a) Citizenship/noncitizen status and identity verification requirements. Verification of citizenship/noncitizen status and identity is required for all adults and children approved for SoonerCare. An exception is individuals who are initially eligible for SoonerCare as deemed newborns; according to Section 1903(x) of the Social Security Act, they will not be required to further document citizenship or identity at any subsequent SoonerCare eligibility redetermination. They are considered to have provided satisfactory documentation of citizenship and identity by virtue of being born in the United States.
(1) The types of acceptable evidence that verify identity and citizenship include:
(A) United States (U.S.) passport;
(B) Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)(Form N-550 or N-570);
(C) Certificate of Citizenship issued by USCIS (Form N-560 or N-561);
(D) Copy of the Medicare card or printout of a Beneficiary Earnings and Data Exchange (BENDEX) or State Data Exchange (SDX) screen showing receipt of Medicare benefits, Supplemental Security Income or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration; or
(E) Tribal membership card or Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card, with a photograph of the individual.
(2) The types of acceptable evidence that verify citizenship but require additional steps to obtain satisfactory evidence of identity are listed in subparagraphs (A) and (B). Subparagraph (A) lists the most reliable forms of verification and is to be used before using items listed in (B). Subparagraph (B) lists those verifications that are less reliable forms of verification and are used only when the items in (A) are not attainable.
(A) Most reliable forms of citizenship verification are:
(i) A U.S. public Birth Certificate showing birth in one (1) of the fifty (50) states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico (on or after 1/13/1941), Guam (on or after 4/10/1899), the U.S. Virgin Islands (on or after 1/17/1917), American Samoa, Swain's Island, or the Northern Mariana Islands after 11/4/1986. For Puerto Ricans whose eligibility is being determined for the first time on or after October 1, 2010 and using a birth certificate to verify citizenship, the birth certificate must be a certified birth certificate issued by Puerto Rico on or after July 1, 2010;
(ii) A Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a U.S. citizen issued by the Department of Homeland Security or a Certification of Birth issued by the State Department (Form FS-240, FS-545 or DS-1350);
(iii) A U.S. Citizen Identification Card (Form I-179 or I-197);
(iv) A Northern Mariana Identification Card (Form I-873) (Issued by the former INS to a collectively naturalized citizen of the U.S. who was born in the Northern Mariana Islands before 11/3/1986);
(v) An American Indian Card issued by the Department of Homeland Security with the classification code "KIC" (Form I-872);
(vi) A final adoption decree showing the child's name and U.S. place of birth;
(vii) Evidence of U.S. Civil Service employment before 6/1/1976;
(viii) An Official U.S. Military Record of Service showing a U.S. place of birth (for example a DD-214);
(ix) Tribal membership card or Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card, without a photograph of the individual, for Native Americans;
(x) Oklahoma voter registration card;
(xi) Other acceptable documentation as approved by OHCA; or
(xii) Other acceptable documentation to the same extent as described and communicated by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) from time to time.
(B) Other less reliable forms of citizenship verification are:
(i) An extract of a hospital record on hospital letterhead established at the time of the person's birth that was created five (5) years before the initial application date and that indicates a U.S. place of birth. For children under sixteen (16) the evidence must have been created near the time of birth or five (5) years before the date of application;
(ii) Life, health, or other insurance record showing a U.S. place of birth that was created at least five (5) years before the initial application date and that indicates a U.S. place of birth;
(iii) Federal or state census record showing U.S. citizenship or a U.S. place of birth (generally for persons born 1900 through 1950). The census record must also show the applicant's/member's age; or
(iv) One (1) of the following items that show a U.S. place of birth and was created at least five (5) years before the application for SoonerCare. This evidence must be one (1) of the following and show a U.S. place of birth:
(I) Seneca Indian tribal census record;
(II) Bureau of Indian Affairs tribal census records of the Navajo Indians;
(III) U.S. State Vital Statistics official notification of birth registration;
(IV) An amended U.S. public birth record that is amended more than five (5) years after the person's birth; or
(V) Statement signed by the physician or midwife who was in attendance at the time of birth.
(3) Acceptable evidence of identity that must accompany citizenship evidence listed in (A) and (B) of paragraph (2) of this subsection includes:
(A) A driver's license issued by a U.S. state or territory with either a photograph of the individual or other identifying information such as name, age, sex, race, height, weight, or eye color;
(B) A school identification card with a photograph of the individual;
(C) An identification card issued by federal, state, or local government with the same information included on driver's licenses;
(D) A U.S. military card or draft record;
(E) A U.S. military dependent's identification card;
(F) A Native American Tribal document including Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood, or other U.S. American Indian/Alaska Native Tribal document with a photograph of the individual or other personal identifying information;
(G) A U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner card;
(H) A state court order placing a child in custody as reported by the OKDHS;
(I) For children under sixteen (16), school records may include nursery or daycare records;
(J) If none of the verification items on the list are available, an affidavit may be used for children under sixteen (16). An affidavit is only acceptable if it is signed under penalty of perjury by a parent or guardian stating the date and place of the birth of the child and cannot be used if an affidavit for citizenship was provided.
(b) Reasonable opportunity to obtain verification.
(1) The state provides Medicaid to citizens and nationals of the United States and certain noncitizens, including during a reasonable opportunity period pending verification of citizenship, national status, or immigrations status. The reasonable opportunity period begins on the date the notice of reasonable opportunity is received by the individual and extends at minimum ninety (90) days. Receipt by the individual is deemed to occur five (5) days after the date on the notice, unless the individual shows that the notice was not received in the five-day period. The state provides an extension of the reasonable opportunity period if the individual subject to verification is making a good faith effort to resolve any inconsistencies or obtain any necessary documentation, or the state needs more time to complete the verification process. The state begins to furnish benefits to otherwise eligible individuals on the date of application containing the declaration of citizenship or immigration status and throughout the reasonable opportunity period.
(2) The following methods of verification are the least reliable forms of verification and should only be used as a last resort:
(A) Institutional admission papers from a nursing facility, skilled care facility or other institution. Admission papers generally show biographical information for the person including place of birth; the record can be used to establish U.S. citizenship when it shows a U.S. place of birth;
(B) Medical (clinic, doctor, or hospital) record created at least five (5) years before the initial application date that indicates a U.S. place of birth. For children under the age of sixteen (16), the document must have been created near the time of birth. Medical records generally show biographical information for the person including place of birth; the record can be used to establish U.S. citizenship when it shows a U.S. place of birth. An immunization record is not considered a medical record for purposes of establishing U.S. citizenship;
(C) Written affidavit. Affidavits are only used in rare circumstances. If the verification requirements need to be met through affidavits, the following rules apply:
(i) There must be at least two (2) affidavits by two (2) individuals who have personal knowledge of the event(s) establishing the applicant's/member's claim of citizenship;
(ii) At least one (1) of the individuals making the affidavit cannot be related to the applicant/member;
(iii) In order for the affidavit to be acceptable, the persons making them must be able to provide proof of their own citizenship and identity;
(iv) If the individual(s) making the affidavit has information which explains why evidence establishing the applicant's/member's claim of citizenship does not exist or cannot be readily obtained, the affidavit must contain this information as well;
(v) The State must obtain a separate affidavit from the applicant/member or other knowledgeable individual (guardian or representative) explaining why the evidence does not exist or cannot be obtained; and
(vi) The affidavits must be signed under penalty of perjury.
(c) Noncitizen eligibility. SoonerCare services are provided as described to the defined groups as indicated in this subsection if they meet all other factors of eligibility, including but not limited to residency requirements, and if the relevant noncitizen status is verifiable by federally approved means.
(1) Unauthorized resident noncitizen. An unauthorized resident noncitizen is a foreign-born individual who is not lawfully present in the United States, regardless of having had authorization during a prior period. Unauthorized resident noncitizens have formerly been known as "illegal" or "undocumented" immigrants or "aliens". Per 8 U.S.C. 1611(a) and (b)(1)(A) an unauthorized resident noncitizen is ineligible for Title XIX Medicaid benefits except for emergency Medicaid as defined at subparagraph (e) below. However, an unauthorized resident noncitizen who is pregnant is eligible for benefits under Title XXI separate Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for services that benefit the unborn child, if the unborn child meets all eligibility requirements.
(2) Authorized resident noncitizen, not qualified. An authorized resident noncitizen is a foreign-born individual who is lawfully present in the United States (U.S.) and is lawfully residing in the U.S., but who does not meet the definition of qualified noncitizen, per 8 U.S.C. 1611(a) and (b)(1)(A). The Oklahoma Medicaid program does not exercise the CHIPRA 214 option; therefore, an authorized resident noncitizen is ineligible for Title XIX or Title XXI Medicaid benefits except for emergency Medicaid as defined at subparagraph (e) below. However, an authorized resident noncitizen who is pregnant is eligible for benefits under Title XXI separate CHIP for services that benefit the unborn child, if the unborn child meets all eligibility requirements.
(3) Qualified noncitizen. A "qualified noncitizen" is an authorized resident noncitizen who, at the time of applying for Medicaid, has a "qualified noncitizen" immigration status as identified at 8 U.S.C. 1641, as may be amended from time to time. Any qualified noncitizen is eligible for full Title XIX Medicaid benefits after a five-year waiting period beginning on the date of the noncitizen's entry into the U.S. with an immigration status identified as "qualified noncitizen" if the noncitizen meets all other eligibility criteria at the end of the waiting period. During the waiting period, as per 8 U.S.C. 1613(a), any qualified noncitizen is eligible to receive emergency Medicaid as described in subparagraph (e) below if the noncitizen meets all other eligibility requirements, including but not limited to residency requirements.
(A) Qualified noncitizen immigration statuses. Immigration statuses identified by federal law as "qualified noncitizen", as of November 2, 2021, include:
(i) A noncitizen who is lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act [INA], per 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.;
(ii) A noncitizen who is granted asylum under INA section 208, per 8 U.S.C. 1158;
(iii) A noncitizen who is admitted to the U.S. under INA section 207 refugee, per 8 U.S.C. 1157;
(iv) A noncitizen who is paroled into the U.S. under INA section 212(d)(5), per 8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5), for a period of at least one (1) year;
(v) A noncitizen whose deportation is being withheld under INA section 243(h), per 8 U.S.C. 1253 (as in effect immediately before the effective date of section 307 of division C of Public Law 104B208) or section 241(b)(3) of such Act, per 8 U.S.C. 1231(b)(3) (as amended by section 305(a) of division C of Public Law 104B208);
(vi) A noncitizen who is granted conditional entry before 1980 pursuant to INA section 203(a)(7), per 8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(7), as in effect prior to April 1, 1980;
(vii) A noncitizen who is a Cuban and Haitian entrant (as defined in section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980);
(viii) A noncitizen who, or whose parent or child, has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty in the U.S. by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse or parent or by a member of the spouse's or parent's family residing in the same household, except during any period in which the individual responsible for such battery or cruelty resides in the same household or family eligibility unit as the individual subjected to such battery or cruelty and only when the alien meets all of the following requirements:
(I) The noncitizen, if not the individual subjected to battery or extreme cruelty, had no active participation in the battery or cruelty;
(II) The noncitizen is a credible victim; and
(III) The noncitizen is able to show a substantial connection between the need for benefits sought and the batter or extreme cruelty; and
(IV) The noncitizen has been approved or has a petition pending which sets forth a prima facie case for one of the following: status as a spouse or child of a U.S. citizen under INA 204(a)(1)(A); classification under INA 204(a)(1)(B)(ii) or (iii); suspension of deportation under INA 244(a)(3); status as a spouse or child of a U.S. citizen under INA 204(a)(1)(A); or classification under INA 204(a)(1)(B); or cancellation of removal under INA 240A(b)(2).
(ix) A noncitizen who is or has been a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons and who has been granted nonimmigrant status under INA 101(a)(15)(T) or who has a pending application that sets forth a prima facie case for eligibility for such immigration status; or
(x) Beginning December 27, 2020, a noncitizen who lawfully resides in the state in accordance with the Compacts of Free Association between the Government of the United States and the Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.
(B) Five-year wait exception for refugees and asylees.
(i) Excepted from the five-year waiting period per 8 U.S.C. 1612(b)(2)(A), the following qualified noncitizens are immediately eligible for a Medicaid determination upon the date:
(I) A noncitizen is admitted to the U.S. as a refugee under INA section 207 [INA 207 Refugee], per 8 U.S.C. 1157;
(II) A noncitizen is granted asylum under INA section 208, per 8 U.S.C. 1158;
(III) A noncitizen's deportation is withheld under INA section 243(h), per 8 U.S.C. 1253 (as in effect immediately before the effective date of section 307 of division C of Public Law 104B208) or section 241(b)(3) of such Act, per 8 U.S.C. 1231(b)(3) (as amended by section 305(a) of division C of Public Law 104B208);
(IV) A noncitizen is granted status as a Cuban and Haitian entrant (as defined in section 501(e) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980); or
(V) A noncitizen is admitted to the U.S. as an Amerasian immigrant under the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1988, section 584.
(ii) This exception to the five-year waiting period expires seven (7) years after the date of action indicated in the list at (c)(3)(B)(i) above. Upon expiration of the exception, the five-year waiting period must be calculated.
(C) Five-year wait exception for certain permanent resident noncitizens. The five-year waiting period does not apply and the noncitizen is immediately eligible for a Medicaid determination per 8 U.S.C. 1612(b)(2)(B), if:
(i)_The noncitizen is lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence;
(ii) The noncitizen has either:
(I) worked forty (40) qualifying quarters of coverage as defined under the Act; or
(II) can be credited with such qualifying quarters as provided under 8 U.S.C. 1645; and
(iii) In the case of any such qualifying quarters creditable for any period beginning after December 31, 1996, the noncitizen did not receive any federal means-tested public benefit during any such period.
(D) Five-year wait exception for veteran and active-duty noncitizens. As per 8 U.S.C. 1612(b)(2)(C) and 1613, the five-year waiting period does not apply, and the noncitizen is immediately eligible for a Medicaid determination if the noncitizen is a qualified noncitizen who is lawfully residing in the state and is:
(i) A veteran (as defined at INA sections 101, 1101, or 1301, or as described at 38 U.S.C. section 107) with a discharge characterized as an honorable discharge and not on account of noncitizenship and who fulfills the minimum active-duty service requirements of 38 U.S.C. section 5303A(d);
(ii) On active duty (other than active duty for training) in the Armed Forces of the United States; or
(iii) The spouse or unmarried dependent child of an individual described herein as a veteran or active-duty noncitizen; or
(iv) The unremarried surviving spouse of an individual described herein as a veteran or active-duty noncitizen who is deceased, if the marriage fulfills the requirements of 38 U.S.C. section 1304.
(E) Five-year wait exception for COFA migrants. Per 8 U.S.C. 1613(b)(3) and as of December 27, 2020, any noncitizen who lawfully resides in the state in accordance with the Compacts of Free Association between the Government of the United States and the Governments of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau is, with regard to the Medicaid program, are not subject to the five-year waiting period unless and until the individual=s status is adjusted to lawful permanent resident (LPR), at which time the five year waiting period must be calculated, unless the individual meets a separate exception to the five-year waiting period:
(i) If the individual entered the U.S. before December 27, 2020, and the date of adjustment to LPR status occurred before December 27, 2020, then the waiting period begins on the date of adjustment and ends after five (5) years;
(ii) If the individual entered the U.S. before December 27, 2020, and the date of adjustment to LPR status occurred after December 27, 2020, the waiting period expires on December 27, 2025; and
(iii) If the individual entered the U.S. after December 27, 2020, and the date of adjustment to LPR status occurred after December 27, 2020, the waiting period begins on the date of entry into the U.S. and ends after five (5) years.
(F) Five-year wait exception for qualified noncitizens receiving SSI. Per 8 U.S.C. 1612(b)(2)(F), a qualified noncitizen who is receiving benefits under the supplemental security income program (SSI) under Title XVI of the Act shall be eligible for medical assistance under a state plan under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, per 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq), under the same terms and conditions that apply to other recipients of SSI benefits.
(4) Special categories of noncitizens and conferred benefits. For the following noncitizens, federal law has expressly authorized Title XIX Medicaid benefits as described below and at law.
(A) Certain American Indian / Alaskan Native (AI/AN) noncitizens. The qualified noncitizen requirement and the five-year waiting period do not apply to any individual who is:
(i) An American Indian born in Canada to whom section 289 of the Immigration and Nationality Act apply, per 8 U.S.C. 1359; or
(ii) A member of a federally recognized Indian tribe as defined at 25 U.S.C. 450b(e).
(B) Certain Iraqi nationals.
(i) Public Law 110-181, Section 1244, while in force and as amended from time to time, created a new category of special immigrant for Iraqi nationals, including:
(I) Principal noncitizens who have provided relevant service to the U.S. government, while employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq, for not less than 1 year beginning on or after March 20, 2003, and who have experienced or are experiencing an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of that employment; (II) The spouse or surviving spouse of a principal noncitizen; and
(III) The child of a principal noncitizen.
(ii) Public Law 111-118, Section 8120, while in force and as amended from time to time, extended Iraqi special immigrant eligibility for medical assistance to the same extent as INA 207 Refugees are eligible for medical assistance [see subparagraph (c)(3)(B) above] as of December 19, 2009.
(iii) As of August 3, 2021, pursuant to the Office of Refugee Resettlement Policy Letter 21-07, while in force and as may be amended, Iraqi nationals granted special immigrant parole, noncitizens with applications pending for special immigrant status, are also eligible for medical assistance to the same extent as INA 207 Refugees are eligible for medical assistance [see subparagraph (c)(3)(B) above];
(C) Certain Afghan nationals.
(i) Public Law 111-8, Section 602, while in force and as amended from time to time, created a new category of special immigrant for Afghan nationals, including:
(I) Principal noncitizens who have provided relevant service to the U.S. government or the International Security Assistance Force, while employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghan, for not less than one (1) year beginning on or after October 7, 2001, and who have experienced or are experiencing an ongoing serious threat as a consequence of that employment;
(II) The spouse or surviving spouse of a principal noncitizen; and
(III) The child of a principal noncitizen.
(ii) Public Law 111-118, Section 8120, while in force and as amended from time to time, amended Public Law 111-8, Section 602, to extend Afghan special immigrant eligibility for medical assistance to the same extent as INA 207 Refugees are eligible for medical assistance [see subparagraph (c)(3)(B) above] as of December 19, 2009;
(iii) As of August 3, 2021, pursuant to the Office of Refugee Resettlement Policy Letter 21-07, while in force and as may be amended, Afghan nationals granted special immigrant parole, noncitizens with applications pending for special immigrant status, are also eligible for medical assistance to the same extent as INA 207 Refugees are eligible for medical assistance [see subparagraph (c)(3)(B) above];
(iv) Pursuant to Public Law 117-43, Section 2502, while in force and as may be amended from time to time, "applicable individuals" have time-limited eligibility for medical assistance to the same extent as INA 207 Refugees are eligible for medical assistance [See subsection (c)(3)(B) above], until March 21, 2023, or the term of parole, whichever is later. In this subparagraph, the term "applicable individual" includes only:
(I) A citizen or national of Afghanistan or a person with no nationality who last habitually resided in Afghanistan, if the individual is paroled into the U.S. between July 31, 2021, and September 30, 2022;
(II) The spouse or child of an individual described at (c)(3)(C)(iv)(I) of this section, if the spouse or child is paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2022; and
(III) The parent or legal guardian of an individual described at (c)(3)(C)(iv)(I) who is determined to be an unaccompanied child, if the parent or legal guardian is paroled into the U.S. after September 30, 2022.
(d) Continuing conformance with federal law. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any noncitizen population that federal law or authority, as amended from time to time, identifies as eligible for medical assistance under Title XIX is eligible for such benefits to the same extent, under the same conditions, and for the same period of time as indicated in the relevant federal law or official federal guidance documents, including any amendments to the law or guidance.
(e) Emergency Medicaid. Emergency Medicaid in this section means medical assistance provided to a noncitizen under Title XIX for care and services that are necessary for the treatment of an emergency medical condition, as defined by section 1903(v)(3) of the Act and including labor and delivery but not related to organ transplant procedure, of the noncitizen involved if the noncitizen otherwise meets eligibility requirements for medical assistance under the state plan, including but not limited to residency requirements.
Disclaimer. The OHCA rules found on this Web site are unofficial. The official rules are published by the Oklahoma Secretary of State Office of Administrative Rules as Title 317 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code. To order an official copy of these rules, contact the Office of Administrative Rules at (405) 521-4911.
