Wyo. Code R. 049-0026-3
Medical Programs - General
Chapter 3: Telephone Assistance
Effective Date: 08/01/2000 to Current
Rule Type: Current Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 049.0026.3.08012000
These rules are promulgated by the Department of Family Services pursuant to W.S. 42-2-303(a) and the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act at W.S. 16-3-101 et seq.
This rule establishes procedures for taking applications and defines covered services under the Telephone Assistance Program.
This rule is intended to implement and be read in conjunction with W.S. 37-2-301 through 37-3-306 and 42-2-301 through 42-2-303, which established the Telephone Assistance Program, and any rules promulgated thereunder by the Commission.
(a) 'Commission.' The Wyoming Public Service Commission, its designee, agent or successor.
(b) 'Covered services.' Telephone services that are covered pursuant to this rule.
(c) 'Department of Family Services.' The Wyoming Department of Family Services, its designee, agent or successor.
(d) 'Local telephone company.' The provider that furnishes regulated local telecommunications services to the area where a recipient's residence is located.
(e) 'Medicaid.' Medical assistance and services provided pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act and the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act.
(f) 'Principal residence.' A recipient's domicile other than an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) or Institution of Mental Disease.
(g) 'Provider.' An entity that furnishes regulated local telecommunications services.
(h) 'Recipient.' A person who has been determined eligible.
(i) 'Recertification.' A determination, pursuant to section 7, that an individual receiving telephone assistance remains eligible to receive covered services.
(j) 'Single resident line.' Basic residential telephone services, other than expanded services. 'Single resident line' includes touchtone services.
(k) 'Subscriber.' A recipient who is liable for telephone bill payments.
(l) 'Telephone assistance.' The telephone assistance program established pursuant to W.S. 37-2-301 through 37-3-306, 42-2-301 through 42-2-303 and the rules promulgated thereunder.
Telephone services shall be limited to a single resident line in the subscriber's principal residence except as provided in Section 4 (b). Eligibility shall be restricted to one recipient per residence.
(a) All recipients, who are receiving services pursuant to W.S. 42-2-101 through 114, 42-2-201 through 203, or 42-4-101 through 208 and who are subscribers to a local telephone service shall be eligible for telephone assistance.
(b) Applications. A recipient that desires telephone assistance shall submit a written application, along with a copy of a current Medicaid coupon, or a copy of an approval letter, in the form specified by the Department of Family Services, to the local telephone company. The application form shall contain an authorization for the release of the information from the Department of Family Services to the local telephone company to provide verification for eligibility for telephone assistance.
(c) Determination of eligibility. The local telephone company shall accept an application submitted in accordance with (b) and following eligibility verification shall declare the applicant eligible for Telephone Assistance.
(d) Duration of eligibility. A recipient determined eligible for telephone assistance shall remain eligible for covered services until determined ineligible by the Department of Family Services.
(a) Frequency. At least once per calendar year the local telephone companies shall provide the Department of Family Services with a list of all telephone assistance participants for review and verification of continuing eligibility.
(b) List of eligible and ineligible persons. Within a reasonable time after receiving the list described in (a), the Department of Family Services shall return a list of eligibles and ineligibles to the local telephone company with a copy of the list provided to the Commission in a format agreed upon by the Commission.
(c) No right of appeal. An individual whose telephone assistance is terminated because of the loss of eligibility, is not entitled to an administrative appeal of the termination of telephone assistance. Such individual's remedy is restricted to the right to appeal the termination of eligibility pursuant to applicable federal or state laws or regulations.
Section 8. Severability. If any portion of these rules is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall continue in effect.