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Effective: October 1, 2007 |
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17ar2 - Household Composition (Archive) |
Archived: October 1, 2009 |
Household composition is determined by the people living together and their relationships to one another. The composition of the household determines a person’s household size. One person may live in another’s household but not be part of his/her household composition or household size.
The household composition and household size affects:
l Whose income and assets to count. See Deeming of Assets and Income for more information.
l Income standards and eligibility. See Income for more information on this topic.
l MinnesotaCare and MA-EPD premium amounts. See Premiums for more information on premium calculations.
Here is a list of terms that are used throughout this chapter:
A caretaker is a person who provides care and support to a minor child. The person may or may not be covered and may or may not be considered part of the child’s household.
A child is a person under age 21.
A person under age 18 who is married or formerly married, serving in the armed forces or emancipated by court order. In practice, court-ordered emancipation is rare in Minnesota.
A legal custodian is a person granted legal custody of a minor child by the court but who does not have legal guardianship.
A legal guardian is a person who has been court-appointed or accepted as a guardian under Minnesota statute. Generally, a legal guardian is appointed when parental rights have been terminated or a child’s parents have died.
Marriage is a union that is legally recognized in Minnesota. See Household Composition Basics below for more information about marital relationships.
A minor child is a person under age 18.
A parent is a child’s biological or adoptive mother or father whose parental rights have not been terminated. For MinnesotaCare purposes a stepparent is also considered a parent.
A spouse is a person who is legally married to another person; a husband or wife.
Temporary absence is a term used to describe when a person is physically absent from a residence but still considered to be in the household. Rules for temporary absence differ between MA/GAMC and MinnesotaCare. Refer to the proper program rules in determining temporary absence.
Although household composition rules vary by program, when determining the household size, people who live together and have these relationships are generally considered in the household composition determination for all programs:
Note: Do not require verification of relationship between household members, or household composition.
l Parental relationships.
n A parental relationship exists between a parent and their biological or adoptive child.
n For MCRE, a step-child and stepparent is also considered a parental relationship.
n Children under age 18 who would otherwise be included in their parents' household may be excluded if they are emancipated minors.
n See program specific sections for the maximum ages at which children are included in their parents' household.
l Marital relationships.
n Cultural and religious unions performed in the U.S. that are not recognized as legal marriages under Minnesota statute are not considered marriages for health care purposes. Also, Minnesota does not recognize marriages between persons of the same sex.
n Minnesota law does not recognize common law unions transacted in Minnesota. However, Minnesota does legally recognize common law unions between a man and a woman who move to Minnesota from common law states and have a validly recognized common law union from one of those states.
n Marriages between a man and a woman performed in other countries are considered marriages for health care purposes, if they are recognized as legal marriages in the country of origin.
Note: If there is any question about a specific couple's marital status, or how their marital status affects their health care program eligibility, follow your agency's procedures to submit a policy question to HealthQuest.
l Sibling relationships.
n Consider full or half-siblings to have a sibling relationship.
n For MinnesotaCare, also consider step-siblings to have a sibling relationship.
l Legal guardianship.
n MinnesotaCare considers legal guardianship in determining household composition.
n Legal guardianship is not the same as a legal custodianship.
n Request guardianship papers if you are uncertain of a non-parent caretaker’s legal status.
In some cases, people do not have to have coverage to be included in the household size.
l MA/GAMC:
n Determine household composition on an individual basis.
n Allow people to request coverage for some household members and not others.
l MinnesotaCare:
n Household composition is determined at a household level.
n Some people may be required to have coverage for others’ in the household to also have coverage. See the All or Nothing Rule.
n Some people may be excluded from coverage because specific eligibility criteria are not met.
For more program specific household composition policy information see the following sections:
Determining MinnesotaCare Household Size.
Determining MA/GAMC Household Size.
Adding a Person to the Household.