This manual letter lists new and revised material for the Health Care Programs Manual (HCPM). Unless otherwise noted, new and revised instructions are effective December 1, 2012.
Manual Letter #56 updates policy relating to the family allocation deduction from Long-Term Care (LTC) countable gross income. Information about the treatment of program participation incentive payments in evaluating eligibility for the Minnesota Health Care Programs is also added.
This manual letter also includes annual changes to certain income standards and disregards that are effective January 1, 2013. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment amounts effective January 2013 are also provided.
Chapter 4 - Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefits
Updates the SSI payment amounts and Medicare Part B subsidies for Medicare Advantage plans.
Updates the home equity limit.
Adds information about program participation incentive payments.
Chapter 21 - Income Calculation (Community)
Incorporates Bulletin #12-21-11.
Chapter 22 - Standards and Guidelines
Provides updates to the Special Income Standard, LTC Clothing and Personal Needs Allowance and Remedial care Expense Deduction and the Social Security Administration (SSA) Period Life Table.
Chapter 23 - MA Payment of Long-Term Care (LTC) Services
Updates information relating to the Family Allocation deduction.
Chapter 4 - Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefits
l Section 04.15 - Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Adds the eligible individual maximum SSI payment amount and the eligible couple maximum SSI payment amount effective January 2013.
l Section 04.40.10 - Medicare Part B
Updates the Medicare Part B subsidies for Medicare Advantage plans in 2013.
l Section 19.55.05 - Home Equity Limit Analysis
Updates the home equity limit referenced in the home equity analysis to the 2013 amount.
l Section 20 - Income
Adds program participation incentive payments to the income index.
l Section 20.25.05 - Excluded Income
Adds program participation incentive payments to the list of excluded income. This revision refers to incentive payments or cash-like cards received by clients for their participation in projects with grant agreements that specifically state to consider such payments excluded income for purposes of determining eligibility for any program receiving federal funding.
Chapter 21 - Income Calculation (Community)
l Section 21.50.15.05 - Pickle Disregard COLA Chart
Adds 2013 figures to the Pickle Disregard COLA Chart.
l Section 21.50.40 - Blind or Disabled Student Child Disregard
Adds the Blind or Disabled Student Child Disregard maximum monthly and maximum calendar year amounts effective in 2013.
Chapter 22 - Standards and Guidelines
l Section 22.10 - Special Income Standard (SIS)
Adds the Special Income Standard effective in 2013.
l Section 22.30 - IRS Mileage Rate
Adds the new IRS mileage rate that will be effective for the period of January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2013.
l Section 22.40 - Minimum/Maximum Asset Allowance
Adds the minimum and maximum asset allowance effective in 2013.
l Section 22.45 - Long-Term Care (LTC) Allowances
Adds the Clothing and Personal Needs Allowance effective in 2013.
l Section 22.50 - Remedial Care Expense
Adds the Remedial Care Expense effective for the period of January 1, 2013, through June 30, 2013.
l Section 22.60 - Social Security Administration (SSA) Period Life Table
Updates the effective date of the figures in the SSA Period Life Table to November 1, 2012. The only change to this section is the effective date; there are no changes to the figures in the table.
l Section 22.65 - Home Equity Limit
Adds the home equity limit effective on or after January 1, 2013.
Chapter 23 - MA Payment of Long-Term Care (LTC) Services
l Section 23.15.10 - Deductions from LTC Countable Gross Income
Removes references to expenses as it relates to the Family Allocation deduction. This revision is consistent with information provided in HCPM 23.15.10.10 - Family Allocations, which does not reference expenses.