8220 Assistance Planning - Assistance planning refers to the concept of defining who assistance is being requested for and determining eligibility based on that request. All individuals in an HCBS arrangement shall have a separate assistance plan except as noted in 8230 below.
8230 Establishing Base Periods - The basic principles regarding base periods as referenced in 7330 for independent living also apply to HCBS. That is, the base period is the length of time used in determining financial eligibility. In addition, the date of receipt of a signed application is the application date for determining eligibility and the month of application also establishes the first month of the current base. For further information, see 7330.
8231 Eligibility Periods - For persons receiving Medicaid based on the receipt of cash benefits (SSI or State Supplemental payments) or eligible under the protected medical groups of 2680 or MA CM, medical eligibility continues using one month base periods. For other persons a one month eligibility base shall be used beginning with the HCBS effective date (per 8200.2). When a recipient begins HCBS within an already established base period, the existing base shall be shortened to end the month prior to the month HCBS is effective. One month bases are established beginning with the month HCBS is effective.
8232 Prior Medical Eligibility - An applicant may request a determination of medical eligibility for a 3 month period prior to the month of application. If the application is filed in a month following the month the person chooses HCBS or begins receiving HCBS services, HCBS methodologies shall be applicable in the appropriate prior months. Eligibility for months prior to the month the person chooses or begins receiving HCBS services would be determined based on the individual's living arrangement in those months (i.e., either independent living or long term institutional care). See the prior medical rules of 7330 (2) for independent living or 8132 for long term care.