Refugee Medical Assistance Program 510-05-95-20

(Revised 5/1/2025 ML #3931)

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1. A refugee who meets all Medicaid eligibility criteria must be enrolled in Medicaid, including Optional Children's Group (CHIP) except:

• Individuals who would be eligible for Medicaid with a client share will be enrolled in Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) instead Medicaid Med Needy.

 

2. RMA provides health care coverage for legally admitted refugees:

• Who are not eligible for Medicaid, including the Optional Children's Group (CHIP).

• Who are no longer eligible for Medicaid during the first four months in the country due to increase\ an in earnings.

• The individual will be transferred to RMA without a review of eligibility.

 

3. RMA has two coverage types:

• Refugee Coverage

  • Covers refugees whose earned income makes them ineligible for Medicaid, but who are receiving a Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) payment in a month in which the earned income is counted.

• RMA Med Needy

  • Covers refugees who are not or no longer receiving a Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) payment and whose earned income makes them ineligible for Medicaid. If the individual’s earned income is under 200% of the FPL, they will not have a client share. If their wages are over 200% of the FPL, they will have a client share.

Both coverage types are limited to four months. A review will be due in month four. The month the US entry is considered month one of the four month period.

 

4. RMA individuals:

• Who receive a Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) payment and who are not eligible for Medicaid or Optional Children's Group (CHIP) due to their earned income are eligible for Refugee coverage.

• Who are eligible for RMA Med Needy coverage will continue to qualify for this coverage without regard to increases in earned income through the end of the four-month period.

• Who are eligible for RMA Med Needy coverage with a client share will not have an increase in client share if their income increases. The client share can decrease if income decreases or expenses increase.

   

5. Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) payments:

Most, but not all, refugees will receive an RCA payment upon entering the U.S. RCA payments are not considered countable income for Medicaid. The RCA payments must be prorated based on the number of refugees in the household that the payment covers.

 

Example: A husband and wife will receive one payment. The payment must be split in half and entered for each of them.

 

Example: A household with parents and three children under age 18 will receive one payment. The payment must be split between the five individuals and entered for each of them.

 

Example: Individuals over age 18, even if residing with a parent(s), will receive their own payment.

 

RCA payments will end when the individual starts working. When an individual reports they are working, we must verify when their RCA payment will end, and the end date must be entered in Spaces. Ending the payment will ensure they will receive the correct RMA coverage.

 

Note: Reference policy 510-05-35-58 (Qualified Aliens) for a list of eligible groups who qualify under RMA.

 

Note: Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) eligibility policy is located at 510-03-55-05 and 510-05-55-05.