Commitments to those dependent
on government assistance
April 1, 2020
As the COVID-19 crisis continues, Governor Mike Parson and his administration are taking steps each day to respond accordingly and protect the health and well-being of Missourians.
“My administration and I are committed to providing quality healthcare to those most dependent on state assistance and ensuring access to those in need of medical services or medications,” Governor Parson said. “A health care provider's primary focus should be on delivering what a MO HealthNet participant needs to remain healthy during this time, not on the participant's coverage.”
Governor Parson grants flexibility for the Missouri Department of Social Services to provide reassurance and clarity regarding services to our state’s most vulnerable population.
Missouri Medicaid-MO HealthNet
• Eligibility for any Medicaid participant will not be terminated unless the individual requests a voluntary termination of eligibility or the individual ceases to be a resident of the state through the end of the federal emergency COVID-19 declaration.
• 90 days of MO HealthNet coverage will be extended to Missourians ages 19-64 who test positive for COVID-19 and meet the income and resource eligibility guidelines.
• Requirements will be relaxed related to prescription refills and prior authorizations to ensure participants have access to essential medications.
• New provider enrollment applications will be expedited and certain enrollment requirements will be waived, such as application fees and on-site visits to enable providers to serve Medicaid participants.
• Co-payments will be waived for any services provided by means of telehealth.
Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• The Family Support Division is waiving all work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents for 90 days.
Child Care Subsidy Program
• Child Care Subsidy benefits are extended for 90 days.
• Provider application renewals are extended for 90 days.
• Additional hours of care for families will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Family Support Division has requested waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to:
• Waive all Food Stamp adverse action notices for 90 days.
• Waive initial in-person Food Stamp interviews for 90 days.
• Extend Food Stamp certification periods by 6 months from the time this waiver has been received .
“My administration and I are committed to providing quality healthcare to those most dependent on state assistance and ensuring access to those in need of medical services or medications,” Governor Parson said. “A health care provider's primary focus should be on delivering what a MO HealthNet participant needs to remain healthy during this time, not on the participant's coverage.”
Governor Parson grants flexibility for the Missouri Department of Social Services to provide reassurance and clarity regarding services to our state’s most vulnerable population.
Missouri Medicaid-MO HealthNet
• Eligibility for any Medicaid participant will not be terminated unless the individual requests a voluntary termination of eligibility or the individual ceases to be a resident of the state through the end of the federal emergency COVID-19 declaration.
• 90 days of MO HealthNet coverage will be extended to Missourians ages 19-64 who test positive for COVID-19 and meet the income and resource eligibility guidelines.
• Requirements will be relaxed related to prescription refills and prior authorizations to ensure participants have access to essential medications.
• New provider enrollment applications will be expedited and certain enrollment requirements will be waived, such as application fees and on-site visits to enable providers to serve Medicaid participants.
• Co-payments will be waived for any services provided by means of telehealth.
Food Stamp/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• The Family Support Division is waiving all work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents for 90 days.
Child Care Subsidy Program
• Child Care Subsidy benefits are extended for 90 days.
• Provider application renewals are extended for 90 days.
• Additional hours of care for families will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
Family Support Division has requested waivers from the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to:
• Waive all Food Stamp adverse action notices for 90 days.
• Waive initial in-person Food Stamp interviews for 90 days.
• Extend Food Stamp certification periods by 6 months from the time this waiver has been received .