Wyo. Code R. 049-0026-3
Medical Programs - General
Chapter 3: Telephone Assistance
Effective Date: 12/09/1991 to 08/01/2000
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 049.0026.3.12091991
TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Section 1. Authority.
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.
Section 2. Purpose and applicability.
This rule establishes procedures for taking applications, and certification standards for the covered services under the telephone assistance program.
Section 3. General Provisions.
This rule is intended to implement and be read in conjunction with W.S. 37-2-301 through 37-3-306 and W.S. 42-2-301 through 42-2-303, which established the Telephone Assistance Program, and any rules promulgated thereunder by the Commission.
Section 4. Definitions.
(a) "Certification." A data exchange between the Department of Health and the Commission identifying those recipients eligible for Medicaid, including recipients eligible for expanded services.
(b) "Commission." The Wyoming Public Service Commission, its designee, agent or successor.
(c) "Covered services." Telephone services that are covered pursuant to this rule.
(d) "Department of Family Services." The Wyoming Department of Family Services, its designee, agent or successor.
(e) "Department of Health." The Wyoming Department of Health, its designee, agent or successor.
(f) "Expanded services." Custom calling and other services offered by a provider, including, but not limited to:
(vii) Hot line; (viii) Warm line; (ix) Intracall; and (x) Custom ringing.
(g) "Local telephone company." The provider that furnishes regulated local telecommunications services to the area where a recipient's residence is located.
(h) "Medicaid." Medical assistance and services provided pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act and the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act.
(i) "Physically handicapped." An individual that is eligible for SSI or that has been certified by the Department of Family Services as requiring expanded services because of a physical disability or limitation.
(j) "Principal residence." A recipient's domicile, other than an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR) or Institution of Mental Disease.
(k) "Provider." An entity that furnishes regulated local telecommunications services.
(l) "Recipient." A person who has been determined eligible for Medicaid.
(m) "Recertification." A determination, pursuant to section 7, that an individual receiving telephone assistance remains eligible to receive covered services.
(n) "Single resident line." Basic residential telephone services, other than expanded services. "Single resident line" includes touchtone services.
(o) "SSI." Supplemental Security Income for Aged, Blind, and Disabled pursuant to Title XVI of the Social Security Act.
(p) "Subscriber." A recipient who is liable for telephone bill payments.
(q) "Telephone assistance." The telephone assistance program established pursuant to W.S. 37-2-301 through 37-3-306, W.S. 42-2-301 through 42-2-303 and the rules promulgated thereunder.
Section 5. Covered services.
(a) Telephone services shall be limited to a single resident line in the subscriber's principal residence except as provided in (b). Eligibility shall be restricted to one recipient per residence.
(b) Expanded services. Only physically handicapped recipients shall be eligible for expanded services.
(c) Nonparticipation. Telephone assistance shall not be available to a recipient if the local telephone company has elected not to participate in the telephone assistance program.
(a) All recipients who are receiving services under Chapter 4, Title 42 of the Wyoming Statutes (Medical Assistance and Services Act) 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, 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 Medicaid 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 by Medicaid, 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 Medicaid 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 Medicaid 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 Medicaid 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.