Mississippi § 93-17-67 - Continuation of benefits.

§ 93-17-67. Continuation of benefits.

If the adoptive parents of a child eligible for adoption supplemental benefits sign an adoption assistance agreement with the Department of Child Protection Services, then, whether or not they accept such benefits, Medicaid coverage shall be provided for the child under the agency’s medical payment program from and after the commencement date established pursuant to Section 93-17-61 until the child’s eighteenth birthday, provided that federal matching funds are available for such payment. Any child who is adopted in this state through a state-supported adoption agency and who immediately prior to such adoption was receiving Medicaid benefits because of a severe physical or mental special need shall continue to receive such coverage benefits after adoption age eighteen (18), and such benefits shall be payable as provided under the agency’s medical payment program for so long as the State Department of Child Protection Services determines that the treatment or rehabilitation for which payment is being made is in the best interest of the child concerned, but not past the age of twenty-one (21) years, provided that federal matching funds are available for such payment and that any state funds used for such payment shall have been appropriated specifically for such purpose. Any child who is adopted in this state through a state-supported adoption agency and who immediately before the adoption was receiving Medicaid benefits because of a determination of special needs under Section 93-17-55(c)(ii) shall continue to receive the Medicaid benefits after adoption until the child reaches the age of eighteen (18) if the child is still in high school as verified by proof of enrollment and an anticipated graduation date letter from the school. If coverage is extended because the child remains enrolled in high school, the coverage shall terminate at graduation or age twenty-one (21), whichever occurs first. If permitted by federal law without any loss to the state of federal matching funds, the financial resources of the adopting parents shall not be a factor in such determination except that payments on behalf of a child of any age may be adjusted when insurance benefits available to the adopting parents would pay all or part of such payments being made by the state, or if medical or rehabilitation services are otherwise available without cost to the adopting parents. The amount of financial assistance given shall not exceed the amount that the Medicaid Commission would be required to pay for the same medical treatment or rehabilitation. The receipt of Medicaid benefits by an adopted child under Sections 93-17-51 through 93-17-67 shall not qualify the adopting parents for Medicaid eligibility, unless either parent is otherwise eligible under Section 43-13-115, Mississippi Code of 1972.