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Chapter: 2400 Budgeting Income Program: FS 12 Spouses or other individuals receiving benefits as dependents of the SSI or disability and blindness individuals are not eligible to receive this medical disregard unless they themselves are disabled or aged. 2410.0354 Medical Expenses-Group Home Residents (FS) The amount of medical expenses paid for by a resident of a group home for the aged, blind or disabled shall be allowed as a medical expense in the food stamp budget if it can be separately identified. However, if the amount the resident pays for room and medical care cannot be separately identified, no deduction is allowed for either shelter or medical expenses.

Refer to Chapter 2200 for information on computing the shelter costs for residents of group homes. 2410.0355 Allowable Medical Expenses (FS) Allowable medical expenses are:

1. Medical and dental care, including psychotherapy and rehabilitation services provided by a licensed practitioner authorized by state law, or by other qualified health professional.

2. Hospitalization or outpatient treatment, nursing care, and nursing home care provided by a facility recognized by the state (an assistance group (AG) would continue to be eligible for an excess medical adjustment for the medical expenses of a former individual who is 60 or over or receives SSI or Social Security disability even after that individual becomes hospitalized, institutionalized or dies if the remaining AG individuals are legally responsible for payment of the expenses).

3. Prescription drugs when prescribed by a licensed practitioner authorized under state law. Over-the-counter medication (including insulin), medical supplies (including diapers and other incontinence supplies), sickroom equipment (either rented or purchased), or other prescribed equipment when approved by a licensed practitioner or other qualified health professional.

4. Dentures, hearing aids, and prosthetics.

5. Eyeglasses or contact lenses prescribed by a physician skilled in eye disease or by the optometrist.

6. Health and hospitalization insurance policy premiums. If the insurance policy covers more than one AG individual, only that portion of the medical insurance premium assigned to the AG individual(s) eligible for the medical deduction may be allowed. In the absence of specific information on how much of the premium is for an AG individual eligible for a medical deduction, proration may be used to determine the amount to be allowed.

7. Medicare premiums related to coverage under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, any cost sharing or spend down expenses incurred by Medicaid individuals.

8. Securing and maintaining a specially trained service animal, including the cost of food, veterinarian bills, pet insurance, and other expenses. A pet or companion animal cannot be a service animal unless it is specially trained to assist the individual.

9. Reasonable cost of transportation and lodging to obtain medical treatment or services. Count the actual costs of transportation to get medical treatment or services, including costs of travel to buy medicine. If the actual cost of transportation is unknown, use the current mileage allowance in effect for state employees.