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Texas Rolls Out New Identification Requirements for Medicaid Recipients

Begins July 1

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on July 1 will begin applying a new identification and verification requirement to those receiving or applying for Medicaid.

The federal Deficit Reduction Act, passed earlier this year, requires states to begin verifying the citizenship and identity of people applying for or receiving Medicaid. This new requirement does not change who is eligible to receive services. Legal immigrants who may be eligible for Medicaid will continue to provide proof of legal status and identity, said the Texas HHSC in a posting on its Web site. HHSC is sending a letter to all Medicaid clients this month explaining the requirement. Clients will receive an additional reminder in their renewal packet.

Medicaid clients will be required to provide this information only once -- either during the application process or during their first recertification after July 1, 2006. HHSC already has this information for some people on Medicaid. Clients will not have to provide any additional documents to prove citizenship and identity if they:
  • Receive SSI or have received SSI in the past.
  • Are entitled to and/or enrolled in Medicare.
  • Are a newborn to a mother who is Medicaid eligible.
For children through age 18, a birth certificate or an affidavit is all that is needed. For children born in Texas, HHSC may be able to get the birth certificate electronically, and the client will not need to provide it.

To help clients comply with the new requirements, HHSC will:
  • Provide clients and applicants with a list of common verification documents.
  • Give clients a reasonable amount of time to provide the proof.
  • Continue Medicaid coverage if the person is otherwise eligible and unable to provide proof at the first request.
  • Provide a form for clients who want to provide an affidavit to prove citizenship and identity. The affidavit must be notarized, and free notary services are available at many local HHSC benefits offices.
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