Notwithstanding any other provision of Articles V, XI, and XII of this Code, the Department may take necessary actions to address the COVID-19 public health emergency to the extent such actions are required, approved, or authorized by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Such actions may continue throughout the public health emergency and for up to 12 months after the period ends, and may include, but are not limited to: accepting an applicant’s or recipient’s attestation of income, incurred medical expenses, residency, and insured status when electronic verification is not available; eliminating resource tests for some eligibility determinations; suspending redeterminations; suspending changes that would adversely affect an applicant’s or recipient’s eligibility; phone or verbal approval by an applicant to submit an application in lieu of applicant signature; allowing adult presumptive eligibility; allowing presumptive eligibility for children, pregnant women, and adults as often as twice per calendar year; paying for additional services delivered by telehealth; and suspending premium and co-payment requirements.
     The Department’s authority under this Section shall extend to encompass, incorporate, or effectuate the terms, items, conditions, and other provisions approved, authorized, or required by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and shall not extend beyond the time of the COVID-19 public health emergency and up to 12 months after the period expires.
     Any individual determined eligible for medical assistance under this Code as of or during the COVID-19 public health emergency may be treated as eligible for such medical assistance benefits during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and up to 12 months after the period expires, regardless of whether federally required or whether the individual’s eligibility may be State or federally funded, unless the individual requests a voluntary termination of eligibility or ceases to be a resident. This paragraph shall not restrict any determination of medical need or appropriateness for any particular service and shall not require continued coverage of any particular service that may be no longer necessary, appropriate, or otherwise authorized for an individual. Nothing shall prevent the Department from determining and properly establishing an individual’s eligibility under a different category of eligibility.