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HF 2176

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/14/2012 02:59pm

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Bill Text Versions

Engrossments
Introduction Posted on 02/09/2012

Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
relating to human services; modifying the medical assistance employed persons
with disabilities program; changing asset limitation provisions; appropriating
money; amending Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, sections 256B.056,
subdivision 3; 256B.057, subdivision 9.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.056, subdivision 3,
is amended to read:


Subd. 3.

Asset limitations for individuals and families.

(a) To be eligible for
medical assistance, a person must not individually own more than $3,000 in assets, or if a
member of a household with two family members, husband and wife, or parent and child,
the household must not own more than $6,000 in assets, plus $200 for each additional
legal dependent. In addition to these maximum amounts, an eligible individual or family
may accrue interest on these amounts, but they must be reduced to the maximum at the
time of an eligibility redetermination. The accumulation of the clothing and personal
needs allowance according to section 256B.35 must also be reduced to the maximum at
the time of the eligibility redetermination. The value of assets that are not considered in
determining eligibility for medical assistance is the value of those assets excluded under
the supplemental security income program for aged, blind, and disabled persons, with
the following exceptions:

(1) household goods and personal effects are not considered;

(2) capital and operating assets of a trade or business that the local agency determines
are necessary to the person's ability to earn an income are not considered;

(3) motor vehicles are excluded to the same extent excluded by the supplemental
security income program;

(4) assets designated as burial expenses are excluded to the same extent excluded by
the supplemental security income program. Burial expenses funded by annuity contracts
or life insurance policies must irrevocably designate the individual's estate as contingent
beneficiary to the extent proceeds are not used for payment of selected burial expenses; deleted text begin and
deleted text end

(5) for a person who no longer qualifies as an employed person with a disability due
to loss of earnings, assets allowed while eligible for medical assistance under section
256B.057, subdivision 9, are not considered for 12 months, beginning with the first month
of ineligibility as an employed person with a disability, to the extent that the person's total
assets remain within the allowed limits of section 256B.057, subdivision 9, paragraph
(d)deleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; and
new text end

new text begin (6) when a person enrolled in medical assistance under section 256B.057,
subdivision 9, reaches age 65 and has been enrolled during each of the 24 consecutive
months before the person's 65th birthday, the assets owned by the person and the person's
spouse must be disregarded, up to the limits of section 256B.057, subdivision 9, paragraph
(c), when determining eligibility for medical assistance under section 256B.055,
subdivision 7. The income of a spouse of a person enrolled in medical assistance under
section 256B.057, subdivision 9, during each of the 24 consecutive months before the
person's 65th birthday must be disregarded when determining eligibility for medical
assistance under section 256B.055, subdivision 7, when the person reaches age 65. This
clause does not apply at the time the person or the person's spouse requests medical
assistance payment for long-term care services.
new text end

(b) No asset limit shall apply to persons eligible under section 256B.055, subdivision
15.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2011 Supplement, section 256B.057, subdivision 9, is
amended to read:


Subd. 9.

Employed persons with disabilities.

(a) Medical assistance may be paid
for a person who is employed and who:

(1) but for excess earnings or assets, meets the definition of disabled under the
Supplemental Security Income program;

deleted text begin (2) is at least 16 but less than 65 years of age;
deleted text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (2)new text end meets the asset limits in paragraph (d); and

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end pays a premium and other obligations under paragraph (e).

(b) For purposes of eligibility, there is a $65 earned income disregard. To be eligible
for medical assistance under this subdivision, a person must have more than $65 of earned
income. Earned income must have Medicare, Social Security, and applicable state and
federal taxes withheld. The person must document earned income tax withholding. Any
spousal income or assets shall be disregarded for purposes of eligibility and premium
determinations.

(c) After the month of enrollment, a person enrolled in medical assistance under
this subdivision who:

(1) is temporarily unable to work and without receipt of earned income due to a
medical condition, as verified by a physician; or

(2) loses employment for reasons not attributable to the enrollee, and is without
receipt of earned income may retain eligibility for up to four consecutive months after the
month of job loss. To receive a four-month extension, enrollees must verify the medical
condition or provide notification of job loss. All other eligibility requirements must be met
and the enrollee must pay all calculated premium costs for continued eligibility.

(d) For purposes of determining eligibility under this subdivision, a person's assets
must not exceed $20,000, excluding:

(1) all assets excluded under section 256B.056;

(2) retirement accounts, including individual accounts, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans,
Keogh plans, and pension plans;

(3) medical expense accounts set up through the person's employer; and

(4) spousal assets, including spouse's share of jointly held assets.

(e) All enrollees must pay a premium to be eligible for medical assistance under this
subdivision, except as provided under section 256.01, subdivision 18b.

(1) An enrollee must pay the greater of a $65 premium or the premium calculated
based on the person's gross earned and unearned income and the applicable family size
using a sliding fee scale established by the commissioner, which begins at one percent of
income at 100 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and increases to 7.5 percent of
income for those with incomes at or above 300 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.

(2) Annual adjustments in the premium schedule based upon changes in the federal
poverty guidelines shall be effective for premiums due in July of each year.

(3) All enrollees who receive unearned income must pay five percent of unearned
income in addition to the premium amount, except as provided under section 256.01,
subdivision 18b
.

(4) Increases in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act shall not be counted
as income for purposes of this subdivision until July 1 of each year.

(f) A person's eligibility and premium shall be determined by the local county
agency. Premiums must be paid to the commissioner. All premiums are dedicated to
the commissioner.

(g) Any required premium shall be determined at application and redetermined at
the enrollee's six-month income review or when a change in income or household size is
reported. Enrollees must report any change in income or household size within ten days
of when the change occurs. A decreased premium resulting from a reported change in
income or household size shall be effective the first day of the next available billing month
after the change is reported. Except for changes occurring from annual cost-of-living
increases, a change resulting in an increased premium shall not affect the premium amount
until the next six-month review.

(h) Premium payment is due upon notification from the commissioner of the
premium amount required. Premiums may be paid in installments at the discretion of
the commissioner.

(i) Nonpayment of the premium shall result in denial or termination of medical
assistance unless the person demonstrates good cause for nonpayment. Good cause exists
if the requirements specified in Minnesota Rules, part 9506.0040, subpart 7, items B to
D, are met. Except when an installment agreement is accepted by the commissioner,
all persons disenrolled for nonpayment of a premium must pay any past due premiums
as well as current premiums due prior to being reenrolled. Nonpayment shall include
payment with a returned, refused, or dishonored instrument. The commissioner may
require a guaranteed form of payment as the only means to replace a returned, refused,
or dishonored instrument.

(j) The commissioner shall notify enrollees annually beginning at least 24 months
before the person's 65th birthday of the medical assistance eligibility rules affecting
income, assets, and treatment of a spouse's income and assets that will be applied upon
reaching age 65.

(k) For enrollees whose income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty
guidelines and who are also enrolled in Medicare, the commissioner shall reimburse
the enrollee for Medicare part B premiums under section 256B.0625, subdivision 15,
paragraph (a).

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION.
new text end

new text begin $....... is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of human services
for fiscal year 2013 for the purposes of sections 1 and 2.
new text end