Library: Policy
317:35-6-60. Certification for Soonercare for pregnant women and families with children
Revised 3-1-24
(a) General rules of certification.
(1) An individual determined eligible for SoonerCare may be certified for a prospective period of coverage on or after the date of certification.
(2) In accordance with 42 Code of Federal Regulations (C.F.R.) § 435.915 and Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 317:35-6-60.2, an individual may also be determined eligible and certified for a retroactive period of coverage during the three (3) month period directly prior to the date of application. This only applies if the individual received covered medical services at any time during that period, and would have been eligible for SoonerCare at the time he or she received the services, regardless of whether the individual is alive when application for Medicaid is made. An individual may be eligible for the retroactive period even though ineligible for the prospective period.
(3) 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.
(b) Certification as a TANF (cash assistance) recipient. A categorically needy individual who is determined eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is certified effective the first day of the month of TANF eligibility.
(c) 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 twelve (12) months. The certification period can be less than twelve (12) months if the individual:
(1) Is certified as eligible in a money payment case during the twelve-month (12-month) period;
(2) Is certified for long-term care during the twelve-month (12-month) period;
(3) Becomes ineligible for SoonerCare after the initial month, except for children who are eligible for twelve months continuous coverage; or
(4) Becomes financially ineligible.
(A) If an income change after certification causes the case to exceed the income standard, the case is closed.
(B) 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.
(d) 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 twelve (12) months following the month the pregnancy ends. Financial eligibility is based on the income received in the first month of the certification period. No consideration is given to changes in income after certification.
(e) Certification of newborn child deemed eligible.
(1) 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 (1) 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 (1). 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.
(2) The newborn child is deemed eligible for SoonerCare as long as he/she continues to live in Oklahoma. In accordance with 42 C.F.R. § 435.117, 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 DHS. The referral enables child support services to be initiated.
(3) 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 (1). 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:
(A) Loses Oklahoma residence; or
(B) Expires.
(4) A newborn child cannot be deemed eligible when the mother's only coverage was presumptive eligibility, and continued eligibility was not established.
