MC #64 (12/23)

STATE OF ALASKA

Department of Health and Social Services

Division of Public Assistance

TRANSMITTAL NUMBER: MC #64

MANUAL: Aged, Disabled and Long Term Care Medicaid Eligibility Manual

DATE: December 1, 2023

This year Social Security announced a Cost of Living Allowance ( COLA Cost of Living Allowance ) increase effective January 2024. We have updated Addendum 1 and the examples throughout the manual with the following items to reflect the 3.2% increase for 2024:

An increase to the Long Term Care community spouse resource and income allowance and household member standards;

An increase to the Excess Home Equity resources maximum;

An increase to the Special Long Term Care Income Standard;

Changes in Medicare Part A and B premiums; and

Changes in Medicare Part D premium and coverage information, including changes to the Low-Income Subsidy program

We have made several changes to clarify existing policy as a result of policy questions or suggestions from the field. An overview of the changes are listed below.

If you have any questions, please contact the Policy & Program Development Team at hss.dpa.policy@alaska.gov .

OVERVIEW OF CHANGES

512 Social Security Enumeration

Removed reference to Addendum 9 and replaced with reference to new location of the Social Security Enumeration Letter Template.

514 D Penal Institution

Clarified that we cannot deny or terminate Medicaid benefits solely because an individual is incarcerated.

515 Continuous Eligibility and Children in SSI Supplemental Security Income Related Categories

Removed incarceration in a penal institution as a reason to end the continuous eligibility period.

554 D Look Back Period

Updated example due to COLA Cost of Living Allowance change.

554 F Transfer of Assets

Clarified transfer of asset presumption policy for Medicaid.

570 C Individuals not Subject to Cost of Care

Added note to clarify when it is appropriate to mail the M003 notice.

570 E Allowable deduction for Cost of Care determinations

Updated example of ATAP Alaska Temporary Assistance Program ANI Adult Not Included standard due to COLA Cost of Living Allowance change.

570 H Nursing Home Examples

Updated example due to COLA Cost of Living Allowance change.

570 J Home and Community Based Waiver Case Examples

Updated example due to COLA Cost of Living Allowance change.

580 D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) Program

Updated resource limit and subsidy information.

ADDENDUM 1

Updated standards due to COLA Cost of Living Allowance change.

Updated Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D premiums for 2024.

Updated 2024 Spousal Impoverishment Standards.

ADDENDUM 9 SOCIAL SECURITY ENUMERATION REQUEST LETTER TEMPLATE

Removed addendum so this letter template is not available to the public.