HIV Care Services Group RW Eligibility Policy February 1, 2019 Desty Muturi, MPH, Care Services Trainer

Texas Ryan White Program Federal program that provides funding for medical and supportive services to Persons Living with HIV (PLWH). A C B D 5/29/2019

Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) Component of RW Program that provides funding to evaluate and address the impact of HIV/AIDS on disproportionately affected minority populations. In Texas, The RW MAI Program is used to assist populations that are recently released from incarceration. F 5/29/2019

RW Eligibility The eligibility process determines an HIV positive individual’s eligibility for Ryan White services. The process ensures eligible client access to needed services while adhering to payer of last resort (PoLR) requirements. Although MAI is it’s own unique program, it must adhere to the same eligibility processes that all other RW grant recipients adhere to, regardless of program type. There is always a place to revolutionize and trail blaze in providing care to PLWH! Eligibility policy is NOT ONE OF THEM. 5/29/2019

Eligibility Refresher Complete attestation form and update client record No Changes 6 months Self Attestation 1. proof of positivity. 2. residency 3. income 4. insurance status : These are originally assessed at either initial RW eligibility determination or annual recertification. 6 months from this date, a client must complete the self-attestation process to reassess all eligibility domains (except proof of positivity). So RW eligibility is assessed twice a year. Currently these eligibility determination and recertification dates happen at whatever points in time that the client entered the RW system of care. In the effort to more closely align with the THMP program, with which we sure a large percentage of clients, we are changing when annual recertification and self-attestation happens to now be on a birthday and half-birthday timeline. Collect supporting documentation and update client record Initial Eligibility and Annual Recertification Changes 5/29/2019 Add a footer

MAI Eligibility Timeline 6 mo. Release from incarceration *In the case where a client needs MAI services for longer than 6 mths after incarceration, due to being lost to care or other unique circumstances, the client can continue to receive MAI services with the goal being to help the client become self-sufficient and transition to regular case management as soon as possible.  In these unique situations thorough documentation is critical. Max time for clients to be MAI eligible, before release MAI case workers assist clients in community Aim to graduate clients from MAI 5/29/2019

Documentation of HIV status A signed statement from an entity with prescriptive authority attesting to the HIV-positive status of the person. In the case of clients who are recently released, this would come from the prescribing authority that provided care while incarcerated. If clients are diagnosed outside of the TDCJ system, and received care while incarcerated, they do not need to have their original proof of diagnosis. 5/29/2019

Commonly Found Gaps In Documentation Insurance verification • Not done at all • Marked as “NA” or crossed out on intake forms • Filling in “Ryan White” for clients without insurance • Forms not being filled out in their entirety • Six-month attestations being completed late (after the half-birth month) or not at all 5/29/2019

ARIES Sharing: What Is It? When a client chooses to share his or her information in ARIES, it allows other Ryan White HIV/AIDS service providers to view important information regarding his or her care. By agreeing to share their information with other service providers, clients will save valuable time in getting the services they need. It is important to ensure clients are aware that their information will remain protected. *This means if a client moves or goes to another HIV/AIDS service provider, they will not have to repeat the same information. *Protected: That it will only be viewable to service providers actively providing services to your clients. *HIGHLIGHT: Importance for this special population 5/29/2019

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Questions?? 5/29/2019