*** The Health Care Programs Manual (HCPM) has been replaced by the Minnesota Health Care Programs Eligibility Policy Manual (EPM) as of June 1, 2016.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: October 1, 2011 |
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19.05 - Asset Limits |
Archived: June 1, 2016 (Previous Versions) |
This section provides information about asset limits for health care programs. It also discusses which household member’s assets are counted against the asset limits.
Some people may be exempt from asset limits. See Exemptions from Asset Limits for more information.
General Provisions for All Health Care Programs.
MinnesotaCare, RMA, and MA Method A for Parents and Relative Caretakers.
MA Method B and Waiver Programs.
General Provisions for All Health Care Programs
Do not deem children’s assets to a parent.
MinnesotaCare, RMA, and MA Method A for Parents and Relative Caretakers
The asset limit for these programs is based on household size. Apply asset deeming rules to determine whose assets count for a person.
The asset limits for MinnesotaCare, RMA and MA Method A for parents and relative caretakers are:
Household Size |
|
One |
Two or more |
$10,000 |
$20,000 |
Example:
Gretchen, who is 35 years old and not pregnant, applies for MCRE. She lives with her daughter Jill (age 10) who is an MA enrollee.
Action:
Gretchen has a household size of two and an asset limit of $20,000. Jill is exempt from an asset limit because she is under 21 years old.
MA Method B and Waiver Programs
The asset limit for these programs is based on household size. Apply asset deeming rules to determine whose assets count for a person.
Note: A client on a waiver program (EW, CAC, CADI, BI and DD) is considered a household size of one, even if the client lives with a spouse or parents. Do not count assets of a spouse or parent if the client is a household of one due to receipt of home and community-based services. However, use the standard household size, not a household size of one, if a client is eligible for MA-EPD and on a disability waiver program.
Note: There are special asset rules and limits for some enrollees moving from MA-EPD to MA.
The asset limits for MA Method B and waiver programs are:
Household Size |
||
One |
Two |
Add this amount for each additional household member |
$3,000 |
$6,000 |
$200 |
Example:
Nanette and Enrique are married and are both applying for health care. Their son, Donald (age 12), lives with them but is not applying for health care. Nanette is pregnant. Enrique is certified disabled and does not receive waiver services.
Action:
Enrique has a household size of four: himself, Nanette, their unborn child and Donald. Enrique may choose to use MA Method A due to his parent status, or he may choose MA Method B due to his disability status. His asset limit for MA Method B is $6,200 and his asset limit for MA Method A is $20,000.
Nanette is exempt from an asset limit because she is pregnant. Include Nanette's assets when determining if Enrique's assets are below the asset limit for MA Method B or MA Method A.
Example:
Herman (age 72) lives with his wife. He receives CADI services. He is a household of one for MA purposes, and has a $3,000 asset limit.
Action:
Do not count Herman’s wife’s assets toward Herman's MA asset limit.
The asset limit is based on household size. Apply asset deeming rules to determine whose assets count for a person.
The asset limits for QWD are:
Household Size |
|
One |
Two or more |
$4,000 |
$6,000 |
The asset limit is based on household size. Apply asset deeming rules to determine whose assets count for a person.
Note: Count a spouse or parent’s assets for QMB and SLMB, including when the client is receiving CADI, CAC, DD, or BI, but not when the client is receiving EW. Only count the client’s assets for QMB and SLMB when the client is receiving EW.
Count a spouse’s or parent’s assets for QI eligibility even if the client is receiving waiver services, including EW.
The asset limits for QMB, SLMB and QI are:
Household Size |
|
One |
Two or more |
$10,000 |
$18,000 |
Example:
Herman lives with his wife. He receives CADI services.
Action:
Herman is a household of two for QMB, SLMB and QI purposes, and he has an asset limit of $18,000 for these programs. Count Herman’s wife’s assets when determining if Herman is below the QMB, SLMB or QI asset limits.
The asset limit for MA-EPD is $20,000 regardless of household size.
l Count only the MA-EPD client’s assets.
l Do not count spousal assets, or spouse’s half of jointly owned assets.
l When an MA-EPD enrollee stops working for any reason, continue to apply the MA-EPD asset rules and the $20,000 limit when determining regular MA eligibility for up to 12 months after the person loses MA-EPD status. Begin counting the 12-month period from the month after the month MA-EPD ended.
Note: Also see MA-EPD policy in Excluded Assets.
Example:
Gertie (age 60), and her husband, Buster (age 80), are applying for health care. Gertie is eligible for MA-EPD and Buster is eligible for MA using the over age 65 basis of eligibility.
Action:
Gertie has an asset limit of $20,000. Do not count Buster’s assets when determining if Gertie’s asset value is under the MA-EPD asset limit.
Buster’s asset limit is $6,000 because he is in a household of two and using MA Method B for his asset calculation. Count Gertie’s assets when determining if Buster is below the MA Method B asset limit.
Example:
Dave is currently an MA-EPD enrollee. His wife, Heloise, has not applied for or enrolled in any health care programs. Do not count Heloise’s assets when determining Dave’s asset value. Dave’s total countable assets are $16,000 - below the MA-EPD asset limit of $20,000.
Dave’s employment ends May 2 and he receives his last paycheck May 8. He is no longer eligible for MA-EPD as of June 1.
Action:
Dave now has an MA Method B disabled basis of eligibility which has an asset limit of $6,000 for a household size of two. If the $6,000 asset limit is applied, Dave is not eligible under MA Method B because his assets are $16,000, and his wife’s assets have not been counted yet. However, because Dave was an MA-EPD enrollee, he will continue to use the MA-EPD asset limit of $20,000 through the following May. Do not count Heloise’s assets in his asset total until Dave can no longer use the MA-EPD asset limit.