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(1) Use the same reduction/rebuttal procedures which apply to all other a/b’s, located in MA-2230, Financial Resources.

(2) If reduction/rebuttal options have been thoroughly reviewed and either pursued or refused by the couple, and the applicant's reserve total still exceeds the limit for one on the 45th or 90th day, deny for excess reserve. (3) Some options to reduce reserve: (a) Pay cost of care (b) Pay burial expenses (c) Pay bills (d) Purchase items needed by the couple (4) Reminder: Transfers to persons other than those specified as allowed in , may result in a period of ineligibility for help with nursing home cost of care, CAP, or in-home health services and supplies after being sanctioned for institutional services.

2. Establish protection period for the CSRA, once reserve has been reduced to the CSRA plus $2,000.

a. Resources equal to the CSRA are excluded through the end of the protection period regardless of which spouse has the resources in his name.

b. The protection period ends on the last day of the 6th month of the first or second c.p., whichever is appropriate.

(1) If application approved by the end of the fourth month of first certification period: Protection period ends at the end of the first c.p.

(2) If application approved in the 5th or 6th month of first certification period or if held and not approved until second certification period: Protection period ends at end of second certification period.

c. If protected resources (in the amount of the CSRA) are not transferred to the community spouse's name/control by the end of the protection period:

(1) The resources become countable/available to the Medicaid beneficiary;