WAC 388-416-0015 Certification periods for categorically needy (CN) scope of care medical assistance programs.

1. A certification period is the period of time a person is determined eligible for a categorically needy (CN) scope of care medical program. Unless otherwise stated in this section, the certification period begins on the first day of the month of application and continues to the last day of the last month of the certification period.

2. For a child eligible for the newborn medical program, the certification period begins on the child's date of birth and continues through the end of the month of the child's first birthday.

3. For a woman eligible for a medical program based on pregnancy, the certification period ends the last day of the month that includes the sixtieth day from the day the pregnancy ends.

4. For families the certification period is twelve months with a six-month report required as a condition of eligibility as described in WAC 388-418-0011. 

5. For children, the certification period is twelve months. Eligibility is continuous without regard to changes in circumstances other than aging out of the program, moving out of state, failing to pay a required premium(s), incarceration or death.

6. When the child turns nineteen the certification period ends even if the twelve-month period is not over. The certification period may be extended past the end of the month the child turns nineteen when:

   1. The child is receiving inpatient services (see WAC 388-505-0230 ) on the last day of the month the child turns nineteen;

   2. The inpatient stay continues into the following month or months; and

   3. The child remains eligible except for exceeding age nineteen.

7. For an SSI-related person the certification period is twelve months.

8. When the medical assistance unit is also receiving benefits under a cash or food assistance program, the medical certification period will begin anew at each:

   1. Approved application for cash or food assistance; or

   2. Completed eligibility review.

9. A retroactive certification period can begin up to three months immediately before the month of application when:

   1. The client would have been eligible for medical assistance if the client had applied; and

   2. The client received covered medical services as described in WAC 388-501-0060 and WAC 388-501-0065.

10. If the client is eligible only during the three-month retroactive period, that period is the only period of certification.

11. Any months of a retroactive certification period are added to the designated certification periods described in this section.

12. There is no retroactive eligibility for premium-based children's healthcare as described in WAC 388-505-0210 and chapter 388-542 WAC. If creditable coverage exists at the time of application, the certification period begins the month after creditable coverage ends.