Beijing, China

Dear Ben,

Recently I found a MCO member, who was disenrolled due to being over asset limits for Medicaid. He is working so wouldn’t he be eligible for Family Care using MAPP with a $15,000 asset limit?

Thanks, Maribeth

Here’s my response:

Hi Maribeth:

Thank you for your question. This question comes up frequently. You are correct. Someone who is receiving Family Care benefits can have higher assets if also enrolled in MAPP. In the situation that you described, if a person’s assets are higher than $2,000 and they meet all the other criteria for MAPP: at least age 18, have adjusted income below 250% of the FPL for their group size, have assets below $15,000 and pay their premiums, then they are eligible for Long Term Care Services in Group A. Their eligibility will continue as long as they meet the requirements set forth for the MAPP program.

Source: DHS 10.34(2)

(2) INDIVIDUALS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. A person who is eligible for medical assistance under ch. 49, Stats., and chs. DHS 101 to 108 is financially eligible for the family care benefit. Cost sharing requirements for the family care benefit for a medical assistance-eligible person are those that apply under ch. 49, Stats., and chs. DHS 101 to 108.

Beijing, China at Tiananmen Square

Visiting Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China where they recently marked the 20th anniversary of the military crackdown on student protesters who gathered demanding democracy. Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest public square, and the very heart of modern China. Oddly, we lunched at a McDonald’s nearby which sported a “famous western people” theme – including images of Jim Morrison and Sean Connery. Not exactly what I expected. Speaking of students…here’s a question I recently received:

Hi Ben:

I have a follow-up question to the presentation John Benbow did at the last WDBN meeting. If a person is using a Student Earned Income Exclusion, should they avoid using the telephone reporting system?

Thanks!
Stephanie

Here’s my response

Stephanie,

Social Security’s SSI Automated Telephone Wage Reporting system (SSITWR) does have certain technical limitations, but a recipient having the Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE) work incentive can still use the new telephone system.

On the other hand, if a recipient has Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) or a Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS) work incentives reporting via phone is an exclusion. Someone with multiple employers in a month is also an exclusion.

For clarification or more details, contact your local Social Security office.

Ben