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137 (07/2026) Chapter 2:Eligibility • Section 2: Eligibility groups MSP A separate household group is established for people who live in the same dwelling as another household group if a landlord/tenant relationship exists.
Applying for or receiving services has no effect on Medicare Savings Program eligibility groups whatsoever, it’s all about who lives with whom. Note: Notice that the MSP HH group for nonstandard living arrangements is different from that of OSIPM. If you have an applicant who is in the same building as their spouse, even if they are receiving services, they are in the same HH group as their spouse for MSP. Individuals living in multiple household groups in one month
People who live with more than one household group during a calendar month are members of the household group where they spend 51 percent or more of their time. Gone for 30 days or more
Individuals gone from the household for 30 days or more are no longer part of the household, including individuals receiving benefits who enter an acute care hospital or nursing facility and are expected to remain for 30 days or more. Leave the individual in their original household group until the 31st day, then re-run eligibility for that person as a household of one. OSIPM The people in the household group who apply for benefits are called applicants. A separate household group is established for people who live in the same dwelling as another household group if there is a landlord/tenant relationship. Individuals living in multiple household groups in one month
People who live with more than one household group during a calendar month are members of the household group where they spend 51 percent or more of their time. Gone for 30 days or more
Individuals gone from the household for 30 days or more are no longer part of their original household group, including individuals receiving benefits who enter an acute care hospital or nursing facility and are expected to remain for 30 days or more. Leave the individual in their original household group until the 31st day, then re-run eligibility for that person as a household of one.
If a new applicant is or will be absent from the household because they are in the hospital or a nursing facility, then consider them in their own household group prior to the 30 days if they will be evaluated under the Acute Care Setting (ACS) rule or long-term-care/services rule.