All Medicaid Programs |
Obsolete Policy |
An unmarried client or a person whose spouse resides in a medical institution is allowed to keep more income if the doctor verifies that he expects the client will stay in a medical institution for 6 months or less. A client in a medical institution for a short-term stay gets a personal needs allowance ofthe one-person BMS ($382). (Do not count the month the client enters a nursing home as one of the six months when allowing this deduction.)
If the diagnosis changes during the first six-months, change the individual’s status effective the month after the change. For example: The client enters a nursing home in May. The doctor originally indicated the stay would be long-term, but in August the doctor provides a statement saying the stay will now be short-term. Change the case for September-November to short-term and allow the BMS as the personal needs allowance. .
If the client is a resident of a nursing home, Utah State Developmental Center, or Utah State Hospital the client must give the contribution towards cost of care to the facility they live in. If the client is a resident of a medical institution OTHER THAN Utah State Developmental Center, Utah State Hospital, or a nursing home, the client must give the contribution towards cost of care to the local office.
How to Count SSI and SSP
Count any SSI (403-4.8) and State Supplemental Payments (SSP) (661) received by the client to determine the client's contribution towards cost of care. There is ONE EXCEPTION to this rule. Do not count SSI payments for the first three full months after the client enters the nursing home. If the payment is not reduced after the first three months do not count the money if you verify the client has returned the money to SSI. If necessary, help the client return the money to SSI. If the client refuses to return the money to SSI count it as income. If, after counting the payment, SSI contacts the client or nursing home and requests a refund adjust the payment system to reimburse the nursing home after you have received verification the money has been returned to SSI.
Public Law 103-387 requires nursing homes, extended care facilities, or intermediate care facility administrators to report SSI recipient admissions within two weeks. SSI policy requires recipients to report admission by the 10th day of the month after the month of admission. BES requires eligibility workers to report SSI recipient admission at the time a case is opened.
How To Count The VA $90 Payment (403-2)
If the client is receiving VA benefits and the payment is reduced to $90, the $90 does not count as income. It is considered an aid and attendance payment and is not countable income.