1804 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

[28 Pa.B. 5532]

   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 63 FR 9235 on February 24, 1998.

   The State requirements are at 55 Pa. Code § 181.452, 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, 1998, are as follows:

Excess Monthly Shelter Standard	$   408
Community Spouse Maintenance Allowance	$1,358
Dependent Living with Community       Spouse Allowance	$1,358

FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,   
Secretary

   Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-180. (1) General Fund; (2) Implementing Year 1998-99 is $695,000; (3) 1st Succeeding Year 1999-00 is $710,000; 2nd Succeeding Year 2000-01 is $726,000; 3rd Succeeding Year 2001-02 is $742,000; 4th Succeeding Year 2002-03 is $758,000; 5th Succeeding Year 2003-04 is $775,000; (4) 1997-98 $617,000; 1996-97 $592,000; 1995-96 $649,000; (7) Medical Assistance--Long Term Care; (8) recommends adoption. Funds are included in the 1998-99 budget for this purpose.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 98-1804. Filed for public inspection October 30, 1998, 9:00 a.m.]