Incapacity Determination - When HEN Referral Program Eligibility Ends

Revised on: February 23, 2023

1. HEN Referral program eligibility ends at the end of the incapacity authorization period if current objective medical evidence shows there has been material improvement to the client's impairment, or if there is no current medical evidence:

a. "Material improvement" means the impairment no longer meets the incapacity requirements outlined in WAC 388-447-0001 (6) (a) through (f).

EXAMPLE: Willie was previously determined incapacitated based on a physical impairment with a "moderate" severity rating. The new medical evaluation indicates that condition has healed, so impairment no longer exists. However, Willie has another, previously unclaimed physical problem. The second impairment has a "moderate" severity rating but does not qualify Willie according to the PEP. There is material improvement because there is no impairment that meets incapacity requirements outlined in WAC 388-447-0001 (6) (a) through (f) at review.

b. "No current medical evidence" means the client failed to provide the medical evidence necessary to determine incapacity outlined in WAC 388-447-0010.

i. When the Disability Specialist receives medical evidence, they complete the incapacity review before the 15th whenever possible, to ensure the client receives advance notice in the event of a denial.

ii. If no current medical evidence is received by the first business day following the due date for medical evidence (usually the 11th or the first business day following), the Disability Specialist issues a 14-118 to deny incapacity.

NOTE: If medical evidence is received after the end of the month in which the incapacity review is due, the disability specialist notifies the client that they must reapply for ABD and complete a financial eligibility interview. If the client meets Disability or Incapacity criteria based on medical evidence received prior to the new application, the approval date goes to the date financial eligibility was determined.

EXAMPLE: Jamie has an incapacity review for HEN Referral due 1/31. They submit medical evidence on 2/8. The disability specialist notifies them that they need to reapply for benefits. A new application is received 2/16 and the financial eligibility interview is completed. The Disability Specialist completes a new SEP approves HEN Referral starting 2/16.

 

2. HEN Referral program eligibility ends if there was a previous error.

a. "Previous error" means that the previous incapacity determination was incorrect because:

i. The information the department had was incorrect or not sufficient to determine incapacity; or

ii. Program rules were not applied correctly based on the information available at the time.

NOTE: When the Disability Specialist discovers that an error was made in a prior incapacity decision and the client should not have been previously approved, and the current available evidence indicates that the client does not qualify, deny incapacity. Document how the error makes the person ineligible.

 

3. HEN Referral program eligibility ends when the client is found eligible for ABD through the SEP process.

a. While a client is active on the HEN Referral program, the Disability Specialist may conduct a new SEP in the following situations:

i. At the end of the 12 month HEN Referral program authorization (incapacity review);

ii. When the client has reapplied for the ABD cash program, and has been referred by financial to the Disability Specialist for a new disability determination; or

iii. When additional medical evidence is received within 30 days from an initial ABD denial/ HEN Referral program approval.

EXAMPLE: Doug applied for ABD cash benefits on 8/1 and completed an intake with a Disability Specialist that same day. The medical evidence received and reviewed by the Disability Specialist was not signed by an ABD “acceptable medical source” per WAC 388-449-0010. Due to Standard of Promptness the Disability Specialist processed the case on 9/15. The case denied ABD (due to lack of “acceptable medical source”), but met all eligibility requirements under WAC 388-400-0070, and approved the client for the HEN Referral program.

On 10/10 the Disability Specialist received additional medical evidence that was signed by an ABD “acceptable medical source.” Because the new medical information was received within the 30 day reconsideration period from the initial ABD denial (WAC 388-406-0065), the Disability Specialist completed a new SEP which subsequently found the client eligible for ABD.

EXAMPLE: At Jenny’s incapacity review, the Disability Specialist denied ABD and reapproved the HEN Referral program for a period of 12 months (based on a completed SEP). Two weeks later, the Disability Specialist received additional medical evidence indicating potential eligibility for ABD. Because we received the evidence within 30 days of the ABD denial, the Disability Specialist completed a new SEP to determine ABD eligibility in line with the Concurrent Disability/ Incapacity Determination Process.

 

4. HEN Referral program eligibility ends when the client turns age 65, as they are now eligible for ABD per WAC 388-400-0060 (1)(a)(i).