HF 334

as introduced - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to health; allowing exclusions from income under MinnesotaCare for
certain medical expenses; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections 256L.01,
subdivision 5; 256L.04, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256L.01, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Income.

(a) "Income" has the meaning given for earned and unearned
income for families and children in the medical assistance program, according to the
state's aid to families with dependent children plan in effect as of July 16, 1996. The
definition does not include medical assistance income methodologies and deeming
requirements. The earned income of full-time and part-time students under age 19 is
not counted as income. Public assistance payments and supplemental security income
are not excluded income. new text begin Expenses related to the care and treatment of life-threatening,
ongoing medical conditions shall be excluded from income as provided under section
256L.04, subdivision 14.
new text end

(b) For purposes of this subdivision, and unless otherwise specified in this section,
the commissioner shall use reasonable methods to calculate gross earned and unearned
income including, but not limited to, projecting income based on income received within
the past 30 days, the last 90 days, or the last 12 months.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2007, or upon HealthMatch
implementation, whichever is later, and applies to applications submitted on or after
that date.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 256L.04, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end

new text begin Persons with life-threatening medical conditions. new text end

new text begin When determining
eligibility for an applicant with a life-threatening, ongoing medical condition, the
commissioner shall exclude from the income of the applicant an amount equal to
documented medical expenses incurred by the applicant for the care and treatment of
the medical condition. The commissioner shall continue to exclude this amount when
renewing eligibility for the individual. For purposes of this subdivision, "life-threatening,
ongoing medical condition" means a condition listed as a presumptive condition for
purposes of obtaining coverage under the Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2007, or upon HealthMatch
implementation, whichever is later, and applies to applications submitted on or after
that date.
new text end