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3440.45.05 MEDICAL EXPENSES IN THE SNAP BUDGET (S)

An allowable medical expense is deducted in the SNAP budget if the person who incurs the medical expense is elderly or disabled as defined in Section 3210.10.25.05.

The amount of the medical expense deducted in the SNAP budget depends upon whether the person with the medical expense has been determined eligible for: • SNAP only; • SNAP and regular Medicaid; or • SNAP with Medicaid under QMB-only.

The total amount of the medical expense that exceeds $35 and is not reimbursable by a third party is allowed in the SNAP budget. If a medical expense is reimbursable, only the difference between the amount of the expense and the amount of the reimbursement can be allowed in the SNAP budget. The types of medical expenses which are allowed in the SNAP budget are listed in Section 3440.45.00.

The following discusses how expenses are included: • when all members of the SNAP AG receive SNAP only (Example #1); • when the member of the SNAP AG who incurs the medical expenses is also participating in a regular Medicaid AG (Example #2); • when a member in the SNAP AG who incurs the medical expense is also participating in a QMB-only Medicaid AG (Example #3).

For elderly or disabled individuals who receive SNAP only, the SNAP budget will include all allowable medical expenses listed in items A and B of Section 3440.45.00 which exceed $35. These expenses are indicated in the eligibility system. See Example #1.

However, if a medical expense has been listed as reimbursable, the amount of the medical expense will not be included in the SNAP budget until the amount of the reimbursement is entered. Once the amount of the reimbursement has been entered, the difference between the amount of the expense and the amount of the reimbursement is allowed in the SNAP budget when the amount exceeds $35 see Example #1.

EXAMPLE #1:

Client A receives SNAP only, he has the following medical expenses: $75 durable medical expense (monthly) $200 eyeglass expense (one time only) $50 prescription (monthly)

The SNAP budget will include $75 + $200 + $50 = $325 - $35 = $290. The following month the $200 one-time only expense will be removed and the $75 + $50 = $125 - $35 = $90 medical expense will be budgeted.