Home > Manual Letters > 2009 > Manual Letter 29 (December 2009)
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, 2009.
Chapter 04 - Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefits.
Updated sections for 2010 annual changes.
Chapter 21 - Income Calculation (Community).
Updated sections for 2010 annual changes.
Chapter 22 - Standards and Guidelines.
Updated sections for 2010 annual changes.
Chapter 04 - Social Security Administration (SSA) Benefits
l Section 04.15 - Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The individual maximum payment amount will remain at $674 and the couple maximum payment amount will remain at $1,011 for 2010.
l Section 04.40.10 - Medicare Part B.
n A significant change for Medicare Part B is that beginning in 2010, people new to Medicare will pay a higher premium for Part B that many of those who were already active on Medicare in 2009.
n The list of 2010 Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) that subsidize Part B premiums is updated and adds the premium amounts for people enrolled on or after January 1, 2010.
l Section 04.40.20.05 - Medicare Part D Benchmark Plans.
n 2010 Medicare Part D Benchmark Plans are listed.
n 2009 Benchmark Plans not available in 2010 are listed.
Chapter 21 - Income Calculation (Community)
l Section 21.50.15.05 - Pickle Disregard Cost of Living (COLA) Chart.
The Pickle Disregard computation factor decreases to 1 for 2010 because there is no change in the RSDI amount for this year.
l Section 21.50.40 - Blind or Disabled Student Child Disregard.
The maximum disregard amounts for 2010 remain at $1,640 per month and $6,600 per year.
Chapter 22 - Standards and Guidelines
l Section 22.10 - Special Income Standard (SIS).
The Special Income Standard for 2010 remains at $2,022 per month.
l Section 22.40 - Minimum/Maximum Asset Allowance.
The minimum asset allowance for 2010 remains at $31,094 and the maximum asset allowance for 2010 remains at $109,560.
l Section 22.45 - Long-Term Care (LTC) Allowances.
n The personal needs allowance for 2010 remains at $89.
n The maximum monthly income allowance for a community spouse for 2010 remains at $2,739.
l Section 22.50 - Remedial Care Expense.
The Remedial Care Expense amount for January 1, 2010, through June 30, 2010, remains at $258.
l Section 22.55 - Medicare Cost-Sharing Amounts.
n Medicare Part A cost-sharing amounts for 2010 are listed.
n Medicare Part B cost-sharing amounts for 2010 are listed.
n Medicare Part D cost-sharing amounts for 2010 are listed.