149 MASS CHANGES (MAM)

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The state or federal government initiates mass changes that can affect all individuals or large numbers of individuals. Mass changes include the following:

. income eligibility standards;

. cost-of-living adjustments for Social Security, SSI, VA, and other federal benefits; or

. other eligibility criteria based on legislation or regulations.

When mass changes occur:

. eligibility or medical assistance benefits are adjusted automatically; and

. a Notice of Decision (NOD) is generated to notify individuals of the results of any changes.

If an individual requests an administrative appeal as a result of a decrease or termination in medical assistance benefits, and contacts the Department within 15 days on the NOD, reinstate medical assistance benefits to the pre-change level only if the issue contested is that:

. eligibility or the amount of medical assistance benefits was improperly computed; or

. a federal law or regulation was misapplied or misinterpreted.