Kansas Family Medical Assistance
Manual (KFMAM)
Eligibility Policy - 10/14/2026
02000 >>> 02040
02030
02040 Citizenship and Alien Status - Eligibility for assistance shall be limited to those individuals who are citizens or who meet eligible non-citizen status as specified in 2043.
NOTE: Under federal rules effective October 1, 2026, sections in 2043 for refugees, asylees, Amerasians, honorably discharged veterans, and trafficking victims, among others, have been updated to ‘Reserved’ as they are no longer considered FFP eligible non-citizen statuses. See section 2044 for those who had adjusted to a lawful permanent resident status.
Non-citizens who are not described in 2043, including persons not lawfully admitted to the United States and persons admitted for temporary purposes, shall not be eligible for benefits, except for emergency medical benefits as described in MKEESM 2691. This is true even though the non-citizen may be receiving other government benefits such as Medicare. Other examples of non-eligible persons include those who are granted stays of deportation, persons admitted under the Family Unity provision, foreign visitors, tourists, diplomats, or students who enter the United States temporarily with no intention of abandoning their residence in a foreign country. A non-citizen who enters the United States for a limited period of time and subsequently decides to remain in the United States must go back to USCIS and obtain appropriate documentation before his or her eligibility can be established.
At the time of application, the client who signs the application form certifies under penalty of perjury the truth of the information concerning citizenship and non-citizen status of all household members for whom assistance is requested.
NOTE: For cases in which assistance is provided on behalf of a child, such as CHIP, only the citizenship or non-citizen status of the child who is the primary beneficiary is relevant for eligibility purposes. Citizenship or non-citizen status should never be requested or newly verified through the Federal Data Hub for a non-applicant.
2041 Citizens - Citizens of the United States of America include persons born in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Swains Island, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Persons born in the Panama Canal Zone from 1904 to October 1, 1979 received citizenship at birth if one or both parents were a U.S. citizen. In addition, based on the provisions of the Child Citizenship Act, children born outside of the United States who are under 18, admitted to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident, and in the legal and physical custody of a citizen parent are considered citizens at birth per 2041.01 and meet citizenship criteria automatically.
Note: Citizens of Micronesia, Palau, and the Marshall Islands have the right to enter, work, and establish residence as a non-immigrant in the United States. They are not considered citizens of the United States and must meet the qualifications of 2042 to receive medical. See additional details for this group under 2043.12.
2041.01 Citizens at Birth - With the exception of individuals born in the U.S. to foreign sovereigns or diplomatic officers, all individuals born in the United States are U.S. citizens. Most other individuals born outside the U.S. must become citizens through Naturalization. However, certain children born outside the United States establish citizenship at birth without completing the naturalization process. These individuals are also considered citizens at birth. Although individuals who meet the criteria were issued immigration documents in order to enter the United States, some may not have obtained a Certificate of Citizenship from the Department of Homeland Security (formerly INS).
Foreign-born individuals born to or adopted by at least one citizen parent are potentially considered citizens at birth. The following rules shall be considered when determining if a foreign-born individual is a citizen at birth.
(1) For persons born on or before January 31, 1941 - At least one parent is a citizen who lived in the U.S. prior to the child's birth.
(2) For persons born between January 14, 1941 and November 13, 1986 - If both parents are citizens, at least one resided in the U.S. prior to the child's birth. If one parent is a U.S. citizen, the citizen parent must have lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years.
(3) For persons born after November 14, 1986 who are over the age of 18 - If both parents are citizens, at least one resided in the U.S. prior to the child's birth. If one parent is a U.S. citizen, the citizen parent must have lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years.
(4) For children under age 18 - The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 went into effect on February 27, 2001 and provides automatic citizenship to certain foreign-born children. Automatic citizenship occurs on the date the following criteria have all been met:
- The child has at least one U.S. citizen parent (by birth or naturalization);
- The child is currently residing permanently in the United States in the legal and physical custody of the U.S. citizen parent; and
- The child is a lawful permanent resident.
This includes both natural and adopted children. These children generally enter the country with an IR-3 visa. It is not a requirement that the above criteria are achieved in a specified order, rather that the automatic citizenship is conferred upon the child on the date when all criteria have been achieved.
Individuals who were under 18 and living in the U.S. on February 27, 2001 and met the new criteria also became citizens on that date.
See 2046 for citizenship documentation requirements
2042 Eligible Non-Citizen Status - Eligibility for medical (including Medicaid and CHIP) benefits is limited to the following groups of eligible non-citizens who also meet state residency requirements. Documentation requirements are specified in KDHE Policy Eligibility Appendix Item A-1, Non-Citizen Qualification Chart. The 5 year waiting period on receipt of assistance described in 2044 does NOT apply to the following non-citizens.
2043 Eligible Non-Citizens - The following non-citizens are eligible for medical benefits:
NOTE: Sections for refugees, Asylees, Amerasians, honorably discharged veterans, and trafficking victims, among others, have been reserved as they are no longer considered FFP eligible non-citizen statuses under federal rules as of October 1, 2026. See section 2044 for those who have adjusted to LPR status.
2043.04 - Cuban or Haitian entrants as defined in section 501 of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980;
2043.07 - Persons who have obtained lawful permanent residence status and who entered the U.S. on or before August 22, 1996. This includes persons who did not obtain lawful permanent resident status until after August 22, 1996. Also see 2044 and 2047;
2043.12 - Citizens of the Freely Associated States, also referred to as Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants, of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau as of December 27, 2020.
2044 Non-Citizens Who Qualify for Medical Coverage After 5 Years from the Date of Entry or the Date Status Was Granted - Persons lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or lawful permanent residents (LPRs) who entered the U.S. after August 22, 1996 qualify for medical benefits (if otherwise eligible) after they have been in the country for 5 years from the date of entry, or have had the listed statuses for five years.
If they have not been in the country for five years from date of entry, they do not meet non-citizen criteria and are ineligible.
The date of entry for persons who entered the country on or after August 22, 1996 is the date the individual became lawfully present. The date the immigrant actually entered the country is not relevant unless it is prior to August 22, 1996.
An exception to the 5-year requirement exists for certain non-citizens who have adjusted to LPR status from another status previously exempt from the 5-year bar prior to October, 2026. This includes individuals who adjust to LPR status from a refugee, asylee, certain Ukrainian or Afghan parolees, and Iraqi and Afghan Special Immigrant statuses. Note: Prior to adjusting to LPR status, these individuals are considered ineligible non-citizens.
2045 Documentation of U.S. Citizenship and Identity - When verification of citizenship and identity cannot be obtained via the Federal Data Hub, documentation of U.S. citizenship and identity must be obtained for individuals claiming to be U.S. citizens who are otherwise eligible for Medicaid or CHIP. This requirement does not apply to the following individuals:
(1) - Current or former SSI recipients
(2) - Current or former Medicare beneficiaries
(3) - Current or former recipients of Social Security Disability benefits
(4) - Children currently in foster care or recipients of foster care maintenance
(5) - Children who are recipients of adoption support payments
(6) - Children born on or after July 1, 2006 to a Medicaid recipient as outlined in 2320.
NOTE: The exemptions above only apply to US citizens. These exemptions do not apply to individuals reporting to be non-citizens (including qualified non-citizens) as the requirements of 2047 apply and documentation of legal status must be obtained.
2045.01 Primary Documents - A document that verifies both citizenship and identity as defined in KDHE Eligibility Policy Appendix Item A-12. The availability of a Primary Document shall be explored prior to using a secondary or other document. Persons born outside of the United States who were not citizens at birth per 2040 must submit a Primary Document.
2045.02 Secondary Documents - If a primary document is not used, two different documents must be used to establish citizenship and identity. The statement of the applicant/recipient that a Primary Document is not available is sufficient to seek a secondary or other document. In addition, the receipt of a secondary or other document indicates that a primary document is not available.
2045.03 Third and Fourth Level Documents - These may only be used if primary or secondary documents are not available. The document provided for citizenship must show a place of birth and it must match the place of birth reported by the applicant/recipient. A second document verifying identity is also needed.
If a second, third, or fourth level document is received this is accepted as a statement from the consumer that no other primary document was available.
2045.04 Written Declaration of Citizenship - A written declaration may be used as verification of citizenship if no other documents are available. The EES Program Administrator/KanCare Clearinghouse Manager or designee must approve the declaration in order for it to be considered acceptable verification.
Declarations must be provided by at least two individuals, one of whom is not related to the individual, who have personal knowledge of the event(s) establishing the claim of citizenship. KDHE Eligibility Policy Appendix P-8, Third Party Declaration of Citizenship, may be used for this purpose. The person(s) making the declaration must:
(a) provide proof of his/her own citizenship and identity,
(b) provide information regarding why documentary evidence establishing the individual's claim of citizenship does not exist or cannot be readily obtained as part of the declaration, and
(c) sign the declaration under penalty of perjury in the presence of a witness.
When a declaration is used to document citizenship, the original must be retained in the case file indefinitely.
2045.05 Written Declaration of Identity - A written declaration may be used to establish identity for children under age 16 or disabled adults if no other documents are available. If a declaration is used to establish citizenship it cannot also be used to establish identity. KDHE Eligibility Policy External forms item P-7, Declaration of Identity for Children and item P-9, Declaration of Identity for Disabled Adults, must be used for this purpose. The EES Program Administrator/KanCare Clearinghouse manager must approve the declaration in order for it to be considered acceptable verification.
The person making the declaration must:
(a) be a United States citizen,
(b) sign the declaration under penalty of perjury in the presence of a witness, and
(c) for children, must be the parent, legal guardian, or caretaker relative of the child;
(d) for disabled adults, must be the director or administrator of a residential care facility where the individual resides.
When a declaration is used to document identity, the original must be retained in the case file indefinitely.
2045.06 Multiple Documents - When none of the above items of identity are available, a consumer may submit three or more of the following documents as verification of identity:
(a) employer identification cards
(b) high school or college diplomas, including GED
(c) marriage certificates
(d) divorce decrees
(e) property deeds/titles
Multiple documents can only be used for identity if a second or third level of citizenship has been provided.
2045.07 Reasonable Opportunity Period to Provide Documentation (ROP) - The following provisions apply when an applicant or recipient declares U.S. citizenship or an eligible non-citizen status but is unable to provide verification. For information pertaining to eligible non-citizens, see 2040.
The agency may not request verification of citizenship and identity or non-citizen status from the applicant or recipient if that information is available through an available resource. The agency shall make every effort to verify citizenship and identity or non-citizen status through those resources. The following automated and manual verification resources shall be utilized:
Tier 1 – The Federal Data Services Hub. The Hub accesses the Social Security Administration (SSA) database in real-time to verify citizenship and identity status.
The Electronic Access to Social Security (EATSS) database. If the Hub is not available, EATSS may be accessed to verify citizenship and identity status for those individuals who are current or former recipients of SSI, Medicare, or Social Security disability benefits (2045). EATSS may not be used to verify citizenship or identity of individuals who do not meet those criteria.
NOTE: For non-citizen verification, see 2047.
Tier 2 - The Kansas Immunization Register (KSWebIZ) database. The KSWebIZ interface is a statewide database that includes immunization records for all Kansas residents that may be used to verify identity only for children.
The Kansas Department of Revenue (Driver’s License) database. The Driver’s License interface may be accessed to verify identity only of an individual with a valid Kansas license.
Tier 3 – Research by the agency. If the agency has been unable to verify citizenship and identity or non-citizen status through the available automated and manual interfaces, staff shall review the case file and imaged documents to determine whether a hard copy verification has already been provided.
Tier 4 – Contact with the applicant or recipient. If the agency is unable to verify citizenship and identity via any of the means above, verification shall initially be waived, and a reasonable opportunity period applied as described below. The individual shall be contacted to provide verification and notified of the reasonable opportunity period.
An application shall not be delayed or denied because the agency was unable to verify citizenship or identity or eligible non-citizen status. If otherwise eligible, the application shall be processed and approved granting a reasonable opportunity period to the individual to provide the verification. The reasonable opportunity period shall be three (3) calendar months commencing from the date the case is authorized. If the individual fails to provide verification (or the agency is unable to independently verify) by the end of the reasonable opportunity period, coverage shall end allowing for timely notification. If verification is provided within the month after the month coverage ends, eligibility may be reinstated without a new application/request. The following examples illustrate:
Example: The agency is unable to verify citizenship or identity for an applicant for medical assistance. Since the individual is otherwise eligible, assistance is approved on 03/11 with notification that verification must be provided by 06/11. Verification is provided within the reasonable opportunity period on 04/23. Eligibility continues without interruption.
If the individual failed to provide verification (and the agency was unable to independently verify) by 06/11, coverage would end effective 06/30 (assuming action was taken by timely notice deadline).
Example 2: The agency is unable to verify an eligible non-citizen status for an applicant for medical assistance. Since the individual has attested to an eligible non-citizen status and is otherwise eligible, assistance is approved on 09/29 with notification that verification must be provided by 12/29. The recipient fails to provide verification within the reasonable opportunity period. Coverage ends effective 01/31.
If the individual provides verification by 02/28 (the month after the month coverage ends) eligibility may be reinstated without a new application/request for assistance. If verification is provided after 02/28, a new application/request is required.
Note: An extension of the ROP will be provided if the individual is making a good faith effort to resolve any inconsistencies or obtain necessary documentation, or if the agency needs more time to complete the verification process through the Federal Data Hub or Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) interfaces. A decision to extend the period must be thoroughly documented and supported in the case file.
2046 Documentation for Citizens at Birth - For most foreign born individuals attesting to be U.S. citizens, primary documentation as established in 2045 is necessary. However, secondary, or subsequent documents may be used to verify citizenship and identity for person considered citizens at birth.
2047 Documentation of Legal Status - Applicants/recipients who are identified as non-citizens on their application shall be required to verify their non-citizen status. The agency shall determine if the person is a non-citizen who may be eligible to receive assistance. Only those non-citizens who are residents and meet one of the categories of eligible non-citizens described in 2044 may participate.
The agency may not request verification of eligible non-citizen status from the applicant or recipient if that information is available through an available resource. The agency shall make every effort to verify the non-citizen status through those resources. Verification is accomplished through the Department of Homeland Security, and additional verification steps may be necessary. The KEES system and the SAVE process are used to obtain the information. Verification is not requested for non-applicants.
The following automated and manual verification resources shall be utilized:
Tier 1 – The Non-Citizen VLP (Verify Lawful Presence) through the Federal HUB (including subsequent SAVE processes). If the individual already has a DCF-verified record that results in an eligible alien/immigration status, this would be considered a Tier 1 verification.
Note: If there is a change in immigration status, staff will need to proceed through the tiered verification process.
Tier 2 – The Manual SAVE process. Should the agency be unable to verify non-citizen status through Tier 1, additional research is required. Detailed instructions on primary and secondary verification procedures are contained in the SAVE User Manual (See KDHE Eligibility Policy Appendix A-10). No action to deny, reduce, or terminate benefits may be taken pending the results of a SAVE verification.
Note: Secondary verification should be requested when the person's entrance date is in question or if the VLP interface is failing. For persons adjusting status to lawful permanent resident, the primary web-based verification system will communicate the date of adjustment rather than the original date of entrance. The secondary system will always provide the original date of entrance.
Tier 3 – Research by the agency. If the agency has been unable to verify non-citizen status through the available automated and manual interfaces, staff shall review the case file and imaged documents to determine whether a hard copy has already been provided. Verification through the automated systems (VLP) should be attempted again if additional information is found in the file that will assist in the process.
Tier 4 – Contact with the applicant or recipient. If the agency is unable to verify non-citizen status via any of the means above, verification shall initially be waived and a Reasonable Opportunity Period applied as described in 2047.01. The individual shall be contacted to provide verification and notified of the Reasonable Opportunity Period.
2047.01 Reasonable Opportunity Period (ROP) for Non-Citizens - An application shall not be delayed or denied because the agency was unable to verify the non-citizen status of an individual declaring to be an eligible non-citizen. If otherwise eligible, the application shall be processed and approved granting a reasonable opportunity period (ROP). The ROP shall be three (3) calendar months commencing from the date of approval. If proof of eligible non-citizen status is provided, the ROP ends and additional information is not necessary. If prior medical assistance has been requested and the individual is otherwise eligible, coverage shall be approved for these prior months as well.
The following processes shall be utilized:
a. Research by the agency - Staff shall review the application, case file and imaged documents to determine if the applicant has previously declared they meet an eligible non-citizen status.
b. Contact with the applicant or recipient – If there is not enough information available to determine if the applicant is an eligible non-citizen, phone contact is required to obtain additional information necessary to confirm whether or not the individual meets an eligible non-citizen status. Staff shall attempt to obtain document types, immigration ID numbers and other details during this contact. If unable to reach the applicant, the individual is not provided with an ROP and a request for information is generated.
c. Verify Lawful Presence (VLP) – The Tier 1 and Tier 2 processes are completed as indicated in 2047. If VLP does not provide the information needed to complete a full determination of eligible status, then an ROP is provided for those who declare/attest to an eligible non-citizen status and are otherwise eligible. If more time is needed to verify status after the initial 3-month period, the ROP will be extended to allow additional time.
NOTE: Manual SAVE may be used only if the VLP interface is failing when first initiated from KEES.
NOTE: An extension of the ROP will be provided if the individual is making a good faith effort to resolve any inconsistencies or obtain necessary documentation, or if the agency needs more time to complete the verification process through the Federal Data Hub or Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) interfaces. A decision to extend the period must be thoroughly documented and supported in the case file.
2047.02 Non-Citizens Unable to Provide Documentation - If the non-citizen is unable to provide any documentation of their status, the agency shall advise the person to contact the nearest USCIS office for verification.
2047.03 Documentation Obtained Later - If documentation of an eligible status is received at a later date, the specialist shall act on the information as a reported change in accordance with timeliness standards for these changes. See 7130 as appropriate.
2047.04 Unable to Verify Through KEES - If unable to verify the non-citizenship status or if conflicting information is received, an inquiry shall be sent to the Eligibility Policy Unit for guidance.