Service Animals

The costs to secure and maintain professionally trained service animals that assist elderly participants or participants with a disability in performing normal living activities are allowable as NA medical expenses.

Service animals, including any of the following:

● Seeing-eye animals

● Hearing-ear animals

A service animal is defined as an animal that is trained to do work or perform tasks for elderly participants or participants with a disability. Discuss and document the case file(g) whether the service animal meets all of the following requirements:

● The service animal is required because of a medical issue.

● The service animal is specifically trained to perform work or tasks for the participant.

It is not a requirement that a physician or medical professional prescribe the need for the animal when the participant is elderly or has a disability in accordance with NA requirements. (See Elderly or Have a Disability - NA Special Considerations for specific requirements)

Allowable maintenance costs include any of the following:

● Purchase of animal food

● Veterinary services

● Kennel fees

● Training

NOTE Breeding and whelping fees are not allowable.