1756 Increases in allowances for a community spouse and dependent living with the spouse when the other spouse is institutionalized and is eligible for Medical Assistance

DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC WELFARE

Increases in Allowances for a Community Spouse and Dependent Living with the Spouse when the Other Spouse is Institutionalized and is Eligible for Medical Assistance

[29 Pa.B. 5453]

   The Department of Public Welfare (Department) announces an increase in the community maintenance need allowances for the family of an individual who is aged, blind or disabled, is eligible for Medical Assistance and is institutionalized. The allowances affected are the monthly standard community spouse maintenance need allowance, the excess monthly shelter standard for the community spouse and the standard monthly family member maintenance allowance for a dependent living with the community spouse.

   The Spousal Impoverishment Provisions of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 (Section 303(a) of P. L. 100-360) (42 U.S.C.A. § 1396r-5) require the Department to make changes to the allowances on July 1st of each year based on the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIGs) issued by the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. The current FPIGs were published at 64 FR 13428 on March 18, 1999.

   The State requirements are at 55 Pa. Code § 181.452 (relating to posteligibility determination of income available from an MA eligible person toward the cost of care). The requirements provide that revisions be published as a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and made available upon request at the county assistance offices.

   The increases, effective July 1, 1999, are as follows:

Excess Monthly Shelter Standard	$   415
Community Spouse Maintenance Allowance	$1,383
Dependent Living with Community Spouse    Allowance	$1,383

FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,   
Secretary

   Fiscal Note:  14-NOT-220. (1)  General Fund; (2)  Implementing Year 1999-00 is $565,000; (3)  1st Succeeding Year 2000-01 is $678,000; 2nd Succeeding Year 2001-02 is $693,000; 3rd Succeeding Year 2002-03 is $708,000; 4th Succeeding Year 2003-04 is $724,000; 5th Succeeding Year 2004-05 is $740,000; (4)  1998-99 Program--$721.631 Million; 1997-98 Program--$617.252 Million; 1996-97 Program--$591.910 Million; (7)  Medical Assistance--Long Term Care; (8)  recommends adoption. There are funds available in the Department's budget to cover the cost of this increase.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 99-1756. Filed for public inspection October 15, 1999, 9:00 a.m.]