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Louisiana Medicaid Eligibility Manual Eligibility Determinations

Issued March 01, 2024

Page 1 of H-1000 Replacing February 2, 2017 Revised/added text indicated by underscore

Deleted text indicated by “**” H-1000 MEDICALLY NEEDY PROGRAM (MNP) H-1010 GENERAL INFORMATION

The Medically Needy Program (MNP) provides Medicaid coverage to individuals or families who have income that is at or below the Medically Needy Income Eligibility Standard (MNIES) or have income which exceeds the MNIES but have enough medical expenses to reduce (spend-down) their excess income.

Note:

Resources are not considered for Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)-related eligibility groups.

Resources are considered for Non-MAGI-related eligibility groups Refer to Z-900 Resource Limits by Program. Resource eligibility should be explored using the Spousal Impoverishment Resource Provisions for individuals who are legally married and who have been, or are expected to be institutionalized for thirty (30) consecutive days. Refer to I-1660 Spousal Impoverishment Resource Provisions (LTC/HCBS).

Spend-Down MNP eligibility must be considered if the applicant/beneficiary is income ineligible for all programs.

H-1010.1 Categorical Relatedness

MNP eligibility cannot be considered prior to establishing income ineligibility in a MAGI-related or Non-MAGI related eligibility group.

Spend-down MNP has no upper income limit. Income eligibility is based on allowable medical expenses exceeding countable income.

H-1010.2 MNIES

The income standard used in MNP is the MNIES. Refer to Z-300 Medically Needy Income Eligibility Standards (MNIES).