*** The Health Care Programs Manual (HCPM) has been replaced by the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual (EPM) as of June 1, 2016. Please refer to the EPM for current health care program policy information. ***
Effective: June 1, 2011 |
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03.25.30 - Medical Assistance (MA) for Parents or Relative Caretakers |
Archived: June 1, 2016 (Previous Versions) |
Parents and other relative caretakers of children who meet the definition of a dependent child have a basis of eligibility for Medical Assistance (MA). See relative caretaker for a list of caretakers who can qualify for a relative caretaker basis.
Note: A child under age 19 who is or was married, is on active duty in the uniformed services, or has been declared emancipated by a court is not a dependent child for purposes of determining whether someone meets a Parent or Relative Caretaker basis of eligibility for MA.
Note: Foster parents and legal guardians are not considered relative caretakers unless they have a familial relationship.
The availability of the parent or relative caretaker basis of eligibility often depends on who else lives in the home:
l Both parents (biological or adoptive) who live in the home may have a parent basis.
l Non-parent relative caretakers (including stepparents) do not have a relative caretaker basis if a biological or adoptive parent is in the home.
Example:
Ruth lives with her husband Sam and her child from a previous marriage, Jonah. They have no children in common.
Action:
Consider eligibility under the parent/caretaker basis for Ruth only. If Ruth were not in the home, Sam could meet a parent/caretaker basis as a non-parent relative caretaker.
l When no biological or adoptive parent lives in the home, one non-parent relative caretaker in the household may have a relative caretaker basis. Consider this basis first for a non-parent caretaker who does not have another MA basis.
Example:
Mindy (age 10) lives with her 25-year-old cousin Morris and her 66-year-old aunt Nell.
Action:
Because Nell has an MA basis (age 65 or older), consider the relative caretaker basis for Morris.
Eligibility factors and links to standard program guidelines are provided below.
Citizenship/Immigration Status.
Insurance and Benefit Recovery.
Relationship to Other Groups/Bases.
Application Process (standard guidelines)
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Citizenship/Immigration Status (standard guidelines)
Follow standard MA guidelines.
See the Medical Assistance Immigration Status and Eligibility Table for a summary of MA system coding for noncitizen parents and relative caretakers.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Follow the policy in Determining Household Size for MA.
Eligibility Method (standard guidelines)
Use Method A for assets and income.
The asset limit is:
l $10,000 for a household of one.
l $20,000 for a household of two or more.
Income limit is 100% FPG.
Deductions/Disregards (standard guidelines)
Use the following Method A deductions and disregards:
l 17% earned income disregard.
People with incomes over 100% FPG may be eligible by spending down to 100% FPG.
Follow standard MA guidelines.
Parents who also have a disabled basis of eligibility may be excluded from managed care enrollment even if they choose to use a Method A basis of eligibility. See Multiple Bases of Eligibility. See the Prepaid Minnesota Health Care Programs Manual, section 04.03 for more information.
The husband of a pregnant woman does not have a parent/caretaker basis until the child is born, unless he is already a parent to another child in this household. Paternity must be legally acknowledged or adjudicated for the father to have a parent/caretaker basis if the parents are not married.
Example:
Angela and Tim are married and expecting their first child.
Action:
Angela has a pregnant woman basis of eligibility for MA. Tim does not have a parent/caretaker basis until the child is born. Determine Tim’s eligibility for MinnesotaCare for Adults With Children.
Example:
Maria and Peter live with their baby, Clifford. Paternity has not been adjudicated, and Peter has not signed a Minnesota Voluntary Recognition of Parentage (DHS-3159).
Action:
Maria has a parent/caretaker basis of eligibility for MA. Peter is not considered to be Clifford's legal parent and must meet another basis of eligibility.
Note: If paternity is later adjudicated or legally acknowledged, both parents have a parent/caretaker basis.
Follow Changes in Circumstances and Change in Basis of Eligibility.
Parents who are blind, disabled, or age 65 or older, may choose which basis of eligibility to use. When the client is eligible for more than one basis of eligibility, help the client choose the most beneficial basis. See Multiple Bases of Eligibility.
Exception: Parents who wish to apply for the Medicare Savings or waiver programs must use the applicable Method B basis of eligibility.
Also consider MinnesotaCare for Adults With Children.