Policy  Directive                                                    Issuance Number: MS 01-05

Medical Services Policy Manual                       Issuance Date: August 8, 2001

From: Ruth Whitney, Director                               Expiration Date: Until Superseded

Subj: No Resource Test for ARKids A

Due to passage of Act 724 of 2001 by the State Legislature, effective August 13, 2001, the resource test will be dropped for ARKids A (Medicaid Categories 61, 52 & 63). No resource test will exist for ARKids A (61, 52, & 63)) or ARKids B (01). .

ARKids A applications pending on or after August 13, 2001 will be processed without regard to resources. For those cases requiring coverage prior to August 13, 2001, retroactive coverage will also be processed without consideration of resources.

As the Newborn categories are part of the ARKids program, after initial certification for Newborn Coverage, any increases in countable resources for the newborn will be disregarded during the 12 months of Newborn Coverage.

The DCO-995, ARKids First Mail-In Application, and DCO-975, ARKids First Annual Renewal Notice, have been revised to remove references to resources. Initial supplies of the new forms will be sent to county offices in August. Supplies of old forms should be destroyed when the new forms are received. County offices should provide the new DCO-995 to schools and other groups in the community who assist families in applying for ARKids. County offices can still accept applications made on the old DCO-995 after August with disregard of any resources reported. The new DCO-975 will be system-generated beginning the end of August for renewals due in October.

Policy reflecting this change will be issued in the near future.

Inquiries to: Jack Tiner, 501-682-8259

Diana Teal, 501-682-1562

                    Carmen Brown, 501-682-8258

                    Cindy Gray, 501-682-8254