Ariz. Admin. Code § 9-28-408

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 45, November 8, 2024

Section R9-28-408 - Income Criteria for Eligibility

A. The following Medicaid-eligible persons shall be deemed to meet the income requirements for ALTCS eligibility unless ineligible due to federal and state laws regarding trusts.

1. A person receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI);

2. A person receiving Title IV-E Foster Care Maintenance Payments; or

3. A person receiving Title IV-E Adoption Assistance.

B. If the person is not included in subsection (A), the Administration shall count the income described in 42 U.S.C. 1382a and 20 CFR 416 Subpart K to determine eligibility with the following exceptions:

1. Income types excluded by 42 U.S.C. 1382a(b) for determining net income are also excluded in determining gross income to determine eligibility;

2. Income of the parent or spouse of a minor child is counted as part of income under 42 CFR 435.602, except that the income of the parent or spouse is disregarded for the month beginning when the person is institutionalized;

3. In-kind support and maintenance, under 42 U.S.C. 1382a(a)(2)(A), are excluded for both net and gross income tests;

4. The income exceptions under A.A.C. R9-22-1503(B) apply to the net income test; and

5. Income described in subsection (C) is excluded.

C. The following are income exceptions:

1. Disbursements from a trust are considered in accordance with federal and state law; and

2. For an institutionalized spouse, a person defined in 42 U.S.C. 1396r-5(h)(1), income is calculated in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1396r-5(b).

D. Income eligibility. Except as provided in R9-28-406(B)(2)(b), countable income shall not exceed 300 percent of the FBR.

E. The Administration shall determine the amount a person shall pay for the cost of ALTCS services and the post-eligibility treatment of income (share-of-cost) under A.R.S. § 36-2932(L) and 42 CFR 435.725 or 42 CFR 435.726. The Administration shall consider the following in determining the share-of-cost:

1. Income types excluded by 42 U.S.C. 1382a(b) for determining net income are excluded in determining share-of-cost.

2. SSI benefits paid under 42 U.S.C. 1382(e)(1)(E) and (G) to a person who receives care in a hospital or nursing facility are not included in calculating the share-of-cost.

3. The share-of-cost of a person with a spouse is calculated as follows:

a. If an institutionalized person has a community spouse under 42 U.S.C. 1396r-5(h), share-of-cost is calculated under R9-28-410 and 42 U.S.C. 1396r-5(b) and (d); and

b. If an institutionalized person does not have a community spouse, share of cost is calculated solely on the income of the institutionalized person.

4. Income assigned to a trust is considered in accordance with federal and state law.

5. The following expenses are deducted from the share-of-cost of an eligible person to calculate the person's share-of-cost:

a. A personal-needs allowance (PNA) equal to 300 percent of the FBR for a person who receives or intends to receive HCBS or who resides in a medical institution for less than the full calendar month. A personal-needs allowance equal to 15 percent of the FBR for a person residing in a medical institution for a full calendar month, except:

i. The PNA shall be increased above 15% of the FBR by the amount of income garnished for child support under a court order, including administrative fees garnished for collection efforts, but only to the extent that the amount garnished is not deducted as a monthly allowance for the dependent under any other provision of the post-eligibility process. The increase to the PNA due to the garnishment shall not exceed the actual garnishment paid in the month for which the PNA is calculated; and

ii. The PNA shall be increased above 15% of the FBR by the amount of income garnished for spousal maintenance under a judgment and decree for dissolution of marriage, including administrative fees garnished for collection efforts, but only to the extent that the amount garnished is not deducted as a monthly allowance for the spouse under any other provision of the post-eligibility process. The increase to the PNA due to the garnishment shall not exceed the actual garnishment paid in the month for which the PNA is calculated.

b. A spousal allowance, equal to the FBR minus the income of the spouse, if a spouse but no children remain at home;

c. A household allowance equal to the standard specified in Section 2 of the Aid for Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) State Plan as it existed on July 16, 1996 for the number of household members minus the income of the household members if a spouse and children remain at home;

d. Expenses for medical and remedial care services if the expenses were for services rendered to the applicant or beneficiary and prescribed by a health care practitioner acting within the scope of practice as defined by State law. The applicant or recipient must have, or have had, a legal obligation to pay the medical or remedial expense. Deductions do not include the cost of services to the extent a third party paid for, or is liable for, the service. Deductions for expenses incurred prior to application are limited to expenses incurred during the three months prior to the filing of an application. Documents shall be submitted within a reasonable time as determined by the Director.

e. An amount deteted by the Director for the maintenance of a single person's home for not longer than six months if a physician certifies that the person is likely to return home within that period; or

f. An amount for Medicare and other health insurance premiums, deductibles, or coinsurance not subject to third-party reimbursement; and

6. The deductible expense under subsection (5)(d) shall not include any amount for a service covered under the Title XIX State Plan.

F. A person shall provide information and verification of income under A.R.S. § 36-2934(G) and 20 CFR 416.203.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R9-28-408

New Section adopted by final rulemaking at 5 A.A.R. 369, effective January 6, 1999 (Supp. 99-1). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 7 A.A.R. 4691, effective October 1, 2001 (Supp. 01-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 14 A.A.R. 2090, effective July 5, 2008 (Supp. 08-2). Amended by final rulemaking at 20 A.A.R. 193, effective 1/7/2014. Amended by final rulemaking at 24 A.A.R. 667, effective 3/6/2018.