Medicaid program; eligibility determinations based on disability--HCFA. Final rule

This final rule specifies HCFA's policy concerning the relationship between State Medicaid eligibility determinations based on disability and disability determinations made by the Social Security Administration (SSA) under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The rule clarifies the controlling nature of SSA determinations of disability, specifies when the State Medicaid agency must make independent disability determinations, clarifies the terminology used to describe the composition of the review team and the information considered under Medicaid in making disability determinations, and extends the Medicaid time limit for making eligibility determinations based on disability from 60 days to 90 days to ensure maximum uniformity in the disability determination process used by SSA and the State Medicaid agencies. These changes will enhance the effective and efficient administration of the Medicaid program.