Katie Beckett Medicaid: How to Apply

Katie Beckett Medicaid eligibility specialists connect with parents once they start the application process one of the ways listed above. The eligibility specialists will answer your questions and walk you through the application process.

The application process determines if children are eligible for Katie Beckett Medicaid. Children must meet both “functional” eligibility and be found to be disabled as defined by the Social Security Administration. Here is how the process works:

1. The Katie Beckett Medicaid eligibility specialist meets with you over a video call, or in your home if requested.
   • Together, you’ll review the application materials, verify required documents, and answer questions.
   • The eligibility specialist will use that information to complete the children’s functional screen. The children’s functional screen is a standardized tool with questions to measure a child’s abilities and day-to-day functioning. It gives the eligibility specialist a picture of your child’s daily life and determines functional eligibility for Katie Beckett Medicaid. This tool is also used to determine eligibility for other children’s support programs. This is the first part of the eligibility process.
2. Medical records from the providers you identified are collected and reviewed during this step.
   • The application materials from the first part of the application process and the medical records are reviewed by medical professionals so a disability determination can be made.
   • This is an evaluation to determine if a child meets the Social Security Act definition of disability.

Applications are reviewed for eligibility in the order they are received. You can track your child’s application status online using an account on ACCESS (ACCESS in Spanish) or the MyACCESS app. Use the link to be directed to a webpage that will help you set up an account if you don’t already have one.

Once eligibility is determined, you will get a letter in the mail to tell you if your child was found eligible for Katie Beckett Medicaid or not. If you have an ACCESS account set up, you will also get a notification about a change on your account when eligibility has been decided.

Around the same time you get a letter in the mail telling you your child was found eligible for Katie Beckett Medicaid, your child will also receive a ForwardHealth Medicaid ID card in the mail.

You can start to use this ID card right away the same way you would use any insurance card is used to get health-related services and equipment. This includes things like preventative health care, supports, and specialty care. You will want to tell all your child’s health care providers that your child has Katie Beckett Medicaid and provide them with the ForwardHealth card so they can have a copy on file.

Visit the Current Katie Beckett Members webpage for more information.

• If your child is not eligible for Katie Beckett Medicaid, you will get a letter to let you know.
• If you have an ACCESS account set up, you will also receive a notification there.
• It will have information about what to do if you disagree with the decision. You have the right to appeal the decision.
• If you want to appeal, you must request a fair hearing within 45 days. The hearing is a chance to say why you think a wrong decision was made about your child’s eligibility.
• You can find more information on who to contact for appeals information on the Who to Contact webpage.