Section 1390. Authorized representative for children under 18 years of age

A. Patients under 18 years of age in facilities operated by the DMHMRSAS may have applications submitted by employees of the DMHMRSAS.

B. A minor child under 18 years of age who is a parent may apply for Medicaid for his own child.

C. An authorized employee of the public or private child-placing agency that has custody of the child must sign the Medicaid application for a child under 18 years of age that is in foster care.

D. A child applicant who is under 18 years of age is not legally able to sign a Medicaid application for himself unless he is legally emancipated from his parents. If the child applicant is not legally emancipated, his parents shall sign the application on the child applicant's behalf. If the child applicant is married and the child applicant's spouse is 18 years of age or older, the spouse may sign the application on the child applicant's behalf. If the child applicant does not live with a parent or spouse who is 18 years of age or older, the adult who has legal custody or who is the legal guardian of the child applicant, or the caretaker relative with whom the child applicant lives must sign the application. A child applicant's parent, guardian, legal custodian or caretaker relative may designate an authorized representative to complete a Medicaid application on behalf of the child applicant. The authorization must be in writing in accordance with 12VAC30-110-1380.

E. If the child applicant has no adult guardian, adult caretaker relative, or legal custodian, then the caregiver for the child applicant is responsible for seeking custody or guardianship of the child applicant:

1. If a motion has been filed in court to appoint a guardian or seek legal custody of the child, the Medicaid application shall be held in a pending status. If verification is received within 10 working days that court action has been initiated, the application will be continued until the guardian is appointed or custody is awarded. When the guardian has been appointed or custody awarded, the eligibility worker must provide the Medicaid application to the guardian or custodian. The guardian or custodian must return the signed application and documentation of his appointment within 10 working days. If the application or documentation is not returned by either 10-day deadline, Medicaid eligibility shall be denied.

2. If guardianship or custody procedures have not been filed with the court, the eligibility worker must refer the child to the appropriate child welfare service worker. The application for Medicaid shall be held in a pending status until the service investigation is completed and any court proceedings are completed. If the court emancipates the child, the child must sign the application and return it to the eligibility worker within 10 working days. If a guardian is appointed or custody awarded, the eligibility worker must provide the Medicaid application to the guardian or custodian. The guardian or custodian must return the signed application and documentation of his appointment within 10 working days. If the application or documentation is not returned by the deadline, Medicaid eligibility shall be denied.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. June 19, 2003.

Statutory Authority

§§ 32.1-324 and 32.1-325 of the Code of Virginia; 42 CFR 435.906 and 435.907.