Page 193

UPDATED: AUGUST 1999

290

INCOME PERSONS IN MEDICAL FACILITIES

PERSONAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES (PNA) FOR PERSONS TRANSFERRED OR DISCHARGED

Policy: For persons in psychiatric facilities, developmental centers or intermediate care facilities regulated by Article 31 of the Mental Hygiene Law, the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) is $35.00, rather than the $50 PNA allowed to persons in facilities regulated by Article 28 of Public Health Law. When a recipient transfers between facilities with different Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) levels, s/he is allowed the applicable PNA for the facility in which s/he was residing on the first of the month. The PNA is not pro-rated.

For example:

Mr. Smith has resided in a facility regulated by Article 31 of the Mental Hygiene Law since November 6, 1998. On March 10, 1999, he is transferred to a nursing home. His PNA for March, 1999 is $35.00. Effective April 1, 1999 his PNA increases to $50.

On June 15, 1999, Mr. Smith returns to the Article 31 facility. His PNA is $50 for June, 1999. Effective July 1, 1999 his PNA decreases to $35.00.

Individuals (other than institutionalized spouses) discharged from a medical facility into the community are entitled to community budgeting as of the calendar month of discharge.

For example:

Miss Brown is discharged from a nursing home to the community on August 20, 1998. She is entitled to community budgeting for the entire month of August.

Institutionalized spouses discharged from a medical facility into the community are entitled to community budgeting as of the month following the month of discharge. Institutionalized spouses are budgeted as chronic care cases in the month of discharge.

For example:

Mrs. Jones is discharged from a nursing home to the community on August 20, 1998. She is budgeted as a chronic care case for the month of August. Effective September 1, spousal impoverishment rules no longer apply.

(MRG)