Connecticut Medicaid (Title 19): MMNA
This is the second in a series discussing the key terms and principles you’ll encounter when applying for Connecticut Medicaid nursing home benefits. In the first article I covered, the CSPA, or Community Spouse Protected Amount. This article will discuss the MMNA, or Minimum Monthly Needs Allowance.
The Minimum Monthly Needs Allowance (MMNA) refers to the monthly income that the community spouse is allowed to retain while a spouse living in a nursing home can qualify for Medicaid benefits. The “community spouse” refers to the spouse remaining in the home that is not receiving Medicaid benefits. The starting point to determine the MMNA is a minimum MMNA adjusted annually. For fiscal year 2006-2007 the minimum MMNA is $1,650.00 per month.
This starting point is then adjusted by a separate calculation to determine the “excess shelter allowance.” The excess shelter allowance totals the following expenses:
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Rent, mortgage, or condo fees for a primary residence;
Property taxes;
Homeowner’s insurance; and
Standard utility allowance of $517.00.
From the total of those expenses, the Department of Social Services subtracts a predetermined standard shelter allowance. This is currently $495.00. The remaining balance is then added to the minimum MMNA ($1,650.00) to determine the community spouse’s actual Minimum Monthly Needs Allowance. Your attorney can then discuss strategies to protect assets based on this calculation. Note, the Case Worker does not have authority to approve an actual MMNA that exceeds $2,541.00 (adjusted annually). You should consider a Fair Hearing to pursue the maximum MMNA if you are in this category.
Why is this important? The MMNA plays a significant role in determining what spousal assets (in the form of the CSPA) the community spouse will be allowed to retain in order to create sufficient income to achieve his or her Minimum Monthly Needs Allowance. The MMNA is one of the items you will focus on if your spouse needs to qualify for Connecticut Medicaid and alternative asset protection strategies are not available. Make sure your team is prepared to protect your rights if you find yourself in a Medicaid situation.
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Index Tags: asset protection, connecticut medicaid, nursing home, taxes, title 19 medicaid
