Original Notice.

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 98-23-093.

Title of Rule: WAC 388-513-1300 Applicability of alternate living and institutional rules (repealed); 388-513-1301 Definitions related to long term care (LTC) services (new); 388-513-1305 Determining eligibility for noninstitutional medical assistance in an alternate living facility (ALF) (amended); 388-513-1310 Resource standard--Institutional (repealed); 388-513-1315 Determining eligibility for long term care (LTC) services--Institutional, waivered, and hospice services (amended); 388-513-1320 Determining institutional status for long term care (LTC) services (amended); 388-513-1325 Determining available income for a single client for long term care (LTC) services (new); 388-513-1330 Determining available income for legally married couples for long term care (LTC) services (amended); 388-513-1350 Defining the resource standard and determining available resources for long term care (LTC) services (amended); 388-513-1360 Determining excluded resources for long term care (LTC) services (amended); 388-513-1365 Evaluating the transfer of an asset made on or after March 1, 1997, for long term care (LTC) services (amended); 388-513-1366 Evaluating the transfer of an asset made before March 1, 1997, for long term care (LTC) services (new); 388-513-1395 Determining eligibility for institutional or hospice services and for facility care-only medically needy (MN) program (amended); 388-513-1396 Clients living in a fraternal, religious, or benevolent nursing facility (amended); 388-515-1510 Community alternatives program (CAP) and outward bound residential alternatives (OBRA) (amended); and 388-515-1530 Coordinated community AIDS services alternatives (CASA) program (amended).

Purpose: To comply with the Governor's Executive Order 97-02 by rewriting the long term care (LTC) eligibility rules in a simpler, clearer, and more effective style for the regulated audience; to streamline and consolidate rules as much as possible; and to repeal rules no longer needed to manage the LTC medical assistance programs.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 11.92.180, 43.20B.460, 48.85.020, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, 74.09.530, 74.09.575, 74.09.585; 20 C.F.R. 416.1110-1112, 1123, and 1160; 42 C.F.R. 435.403 (j)(2) and 1005; and Sections 17, 1915©, and 1924 (42 U.S.C. 1396) of the Social Security Act.

Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.500, 74.09.530, 74.09.575, 74.09.585.

Summary: Some LTC rules are being repealed (WAC 388-513-1300 and 388-513-1310), some new sections are being added (WAC 388-513-1301, 388-513-1325, and 388-513-1366, and the remaining rules are being reorganized and retitled to make LTC eligibility easier for the regulated audience to read and understand.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Regulated audience will better understand eligibility requirements for LTC medical assistance programs.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Stephen Kozak, Medical Assistance Administration, 617 8th Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 586-1034.

Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, Medical Assistance Administration, governmental.

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Client eligibility rules for long term care (LTC) medical assistance programs are being reorganized and rewritten in an attempt to make them simpler, clearer, and easier to understand for the regulated audience. To that end, some of the LTC Washington Administrative Code sections are being streamlined, consolidated, or repealed, while some new sections have been added.

Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Although there are no substantive changes to LTC policy, this proposal does change the organization of the information resulting in the consolidation of some WAC sections, the repeal of two other sections, and the addition of three new WAC sections.

No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This proposed rule does not have an economic impact on small businesses. It only affects DSHS clients.

RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. These rules do not fit the definition of a significant legislative rule.

Hearing Location: Lacey Government Center (behind Tokyo Bento Restaurant), 1009 College Street S.E., Room 104-B, Lacey, WA 98503, on October, 5, 1999, at 10:00 a.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Paige Wall by September 24, 1999, phone (360) 664-6094, TTY (360) 664-6178, e-mail wallpg@dshs.wa.gov.

Submit Written Comments to: Identify WAC Numbers, Paige Wall, Rules Coordinator, Rules and Policies Assistance Unit, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, fax (360) 664-6185, by October 5, 1999.

Date of Intended Adoption: October 8, 1999.

July 27, 1999

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

This section defines the meaning of certain terms used in chapters 388-513 and 388-515 WAC. Within these chapters, institutional, waivered, and hospice services are referred to collectively as LTC services. Other terms related to LTC services that also apply to other programs are found in the sections in which they are used. Definitions of terms used in certain rules that regulate LTC programs are as follows:

"Add-on hours" means additional hours the department purchases from providers to perform medically-oriented tasks for clients who require extra help because of a handicapping condition.

"Alternate living facility (ALF)" means one of the following that are contracted with the department to provide certain services:

(1) Adult family home (AFH) is a family home that provides its residents with personal care and board and room for one to six adults unrelated to the person(s) providing the care.

(2) Adult residential care facility (ARC) (formally know as a CCF) is a licensed facility that provides its residents with shelter, food, household maintenance, personal care and supervision.

(3) Adult residential rehabilitation center (ARRC) or Adult residential treatment facility (ARTF) is a licensed facility that provides its residents with twenty-four hour residential care for impairments related to mental illness.

(4) Assisted living facility (AL) is a licensed facility for aged and disabled low income persons with functional disabilities. COPES eligible clients are often placed in assisted living.

(5) Division of developmental disabilities (DDD) group home (GH) is a licensed facility that provides its residents with twenty-four hour supervision.

(6) Enhanced adult residential care facility (EARC) is a licensed facility that provides its residents with those services provided in an ARC, in addition to those required because of the client’s special needs.

"Annuity" means a policy, certificate, or contract that is an agreement between two or more parties to purchase a right to receive periodic income of a specified amount for a specified period of time.

"Assets" means all the income and resources of the client and the client's spouse. This includes any income and resources they are entitled to but do not receive because of action by:

(1) The client or the spouse;

(2) An individual, court or administrative body, with legal authority to act in place of or on behalf of the client or the spouse; or

(3) An individual, court or administrative body, acting at the direction or upon the request of the client or the spouse.

"Clothing and personal incidentals (CPI)" means a standard allowance intended for clothing and other personal expenses for clients who live in a medical or alternate living facility. This allowance is sometimes referred to as the client's personal needs allowance (PNA).

"Community alternatives program (CAP)" means a Medicaid-waivered program that provides home and community-based services as an alternative to an institution for the mentally retarded (ICF-MR) to persons determined eligible for services from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).

"Community options program entry system (COPES)" means a Medicaid-waivered program that provides an aged or disabled person assessed as needing nursing facility care with the option to remain at home or in an alternate living facility.

"Community spouse (CS)" means a person who does not receive institutional, waivered, or hospice services and is legally married to an institutionalized client.

"Comprehensive assessment (CA)" means the evaluation process used by a department designated social worker to determine the client’s need for long-term care services.

"Coordinated community AIDS service alternative (CASA)" means a Medicaid-waivered program that provides a person with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or Disabled Class IV Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and at risk of hospitalization with the option to remain at home or in an alternate living facility.

"Fair market value (FMV)" means the price an asset may reasonably be expected to sell for on the local market at the time of transfer or assignment. A transfer of assets for love and affection is not considered a transfer for FMV.

"Federal benefit rate (FBR)" means the basic benefit amount the Social Security Administration (SSA) pays to clients who are eligible for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

"Hospice" means a Medicaid program that provides a client with a terminal illness a variety of treatment alternatives that can be received either at home or in a nursing facility.

"Institutional services" means services paid for by Medicaid or state payment and provided in a nursing facility or equivalent care provided in a medical facility.

"Institutional status" means what is described in WAC 388-513-1320.

"Institutionalized client" means a client who has attained institutional status as described in WAC 388-513-1320.

"Institutionalized spouse" means a client who has attained institutional as described in WAC 388-513-1320 and is legally married to a person who is not an institutionalized client.

"Legally married" means persons legally married to each other under provision of Washington state law. Washington recognizes other states' legal and common-law marriages. Persons are considered married if they are not divorced, even when they are physically or legally separated.

"Life estate" means an ownership interest in property limited to the owner's lifetime or, in some cases, to a lesser period. Its duration depends upon the lifetime of the owner or on the occurrence of some specific event, such as remarriage of the owner. Ordinarily, the owner of a life estate has the right: of possession, to use the property, to sell interest in the life estate, and to any income produced by the life estate. A contract establishing the life estate may restrain one or more rights of the owner.

"Likely to reside" means there is a reasonable expectation the client will remain in a medical facility for thirty consecutive days. Once made, the determination stands, even if the client does not actually remain in the facility for that length of time.

"Long-term care (LTC) services" means institutional, waivered, and hospice services.

"Look-back period" means the number of months prior to the month of application for LTC services.

"Maintenance needs amount" means a monthly income amount a client keeps or that is allocated to a spouse or dependent family member who lives in the client’s home.

"Medical facility" means an establishment that provides food, shelter, and medical care to four or more persons unrelated to the proprietor. (This definition does not include correctional facilities.) Medical facilities are limited to the following:

(1) A private or public medical facility licensed as a hospital and certified for Medicaid.

(2) Institution for mental disease (IMD), which is a hospital, nursing facility, or other facility of more than sixteen beds that is primarily engaged in providing diagnosis, treatment, or care of persons with mental diseases, including medical attention, nursing care, and related services.

(3) Institution for the mentally retarded (IMR), which is an institution that is primarily for the diagnosis, treatment, or rehabilitation of persons with mental retardation and related conditions. It provides, in a protected residential setting, ongoing care, twenty-four hour supervision, evaluation, and planning to help each person function at his/her greatest ability. Includes intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded (ICF-MR).

(4) Nursing facility (NF), which is an institution or part of an institution licensed as a nursing facility or hospital which has a contract with DSHS to provide care for Medicaid clients.

(5) Residential habilitation center (RHC), which is a public ICF-MR that provides residential living, professional services and active treatment to persons diagnosed with mental retardation who require more care than can be provided at private facilities.

"Medically intensive children (MIC)" program means a Medicaid-waivered program that enables medically fragile children under age eighteen to live in the community. The program allows them to obtain medical and support services necessary for them to remain at home or in a home setting instead of in a hospital. Eligibility is included in the OBRA program described in WAC 388-515-1510.

"Non-institutional medical assistance" means medical benefits provided by Medicaid or state-funded programs that do not include LTC services.

"Nursing facility turnaround document (TAD)" means the billing document nursing facilities use to request payment for institutionalized clients.

"Outward bound residential alternative (OBRA)" means a Medicaid-waivered program that provides a person approved for services from the division of developmental disabilities (DDD) with the option to remain at home or in an alternate living facility.

"Penalty period" means a period of time for which a client is not eligible to receive LTC services.

"Personal needs allowance (PNA)" means a standard allowance for clothing and other personal needs for clients who live in a medical or alternate living facility. This allowance is sometimes referred to as "CPI."

"Prouty benefits" means special "age seventy-two" Social Security benefits available to persons born before 1896 who are not otherwise eligible for Social Security.

"Short stay" means a person who has entered a medical facility but is not likely to remain institutionalized for thirty consecutive days.

"Special income level (SIL)" means the monthly income standard for the categorically needy (CN) program that is three hundred percent of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate (FBR).

"SSI-related" means an aged, blind, or disabled client who meets the requirements described in WAC 388-503-0510(1).

"Swing bed" means a bed in a medical facility that is contracted as both a hospital and a nursing facility bed.

"Transfer of a resource or asset" means any act or failure to act, by a person or a nonapplying joint tenant, whereby title to or any interest in property is assigned, set over, or otherwise vested or allowed to vest in another person.

"Uncompensated value" means the fair market value (FMV) of an asset at the time of transfer minus the value of compensation the person receives in exchange for the asset.

"Undue hardship" means the person is not able to meet shelter, food, clothing, or health needs.

"Value of compensation received" means the consideration the purchaser pays or agrees to pay. Compensation includes:

(1) All money, real or personal property, food, shelter, or services the person receives under a legally enforceable purchase agreement whereby the person transfers the asset; and

(2) The payment or assumption of a legal debt the seller owes in exchange for the asset.

"Veterans benefits" means different types of benefits paid by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Some may include additional allowances for:

(1) Aid and attendance for an individual needing regular help from another person with activities of daily living;

(2) Housebound for an individual who, when without assistance from another person, is confined to the home.

(3) Improved pension is the newest type of VA disability pension. It is available to veterans and their survivors whose income from other sources (including service connected disability) is below the improved pension amount.

(4) Unusual medical expenses (UME) are determined by the VA based on the amount of unreimbursed medical expenses reported by the person who receives a needs-based benefit. The VA can use UME to reduce countable income to allow the person to receive a higher monthly VA payment, a one-time adjustment payment, or both.

"Waivered Programs/Services" means the federal government authorizes exceptions to Medicaid rules. Such programs are cost effective and provide to an eligible client a variety of services not normally covered under Medicaid. In Washington state, waivered programs are CAP, CASA, COPES, MIC, and OBRA.

[]

(((1) The department shall ensure the categorically needy monthly standard for an SSI, SSI-related, or GAU client living in an adult family home (AFH), adult residential treatment facility (ARTF), adult residential rehabilitation center (ARRC), congregate care facility (CCF), or division of developmental disabilities (DDD) group home is the department cost standard of the facility plus a specified CPI.

(2) The department shall determine the medically needy monthly standard for an SSI-related client living in an AFH, ARTF, ARRC, CCF, or DDD group home to be the private facility rate based on a thirty-one-day month plus a specified CPI.

(3) See WAC 388-15-555, 388-15-568, and 388-478-0045 for the definition of "department cost standard." The department shall ensure the monthly standard shall not exceed three hundred percent of the current SSI Federal Benefit Level.

(4) See chapters 388-450, 388-470, and 388-511 WAC and WAC 388-505-0595 for computation of available income and resources for an SSI-related person.

(5) See chapter 388-450 WAC for computation of available income and resources for a GAU client)) This section describes how the department defines the monthly income standard and uses it to determine eligibility for noninstitutional medical assistance for a client who lives in a department-contracted ALF. Refer to WAC 388-478-0045 for the personal needs allowance (PNA) amount that applies in this rule.

(1) Alternate living facilities include the following:

(a) An adult family home (AFH);

(b) An adult residential care facility (ARC);

(c) An adult residential rehabilitation center (ARRC);

(d) An adult residential treatment facility (ARTF);

(e) An assisted living facility (AL);

(f) A division of developmental disabilities (DDD) group home (GH); and

(g) An enhanced adult residential care facility (EARC).

(2) The monthly income standard for noninstitutional medical assistance under the categorically needy (CN) program that cannot exceed the special income level (SIL) equals the following amounts. For a client who lives in:

(a) An ARC, an ARRC, an ARTF, an AL, a DDD GH, or an EARC, the department-contracted rate based on a thirty-one day month plus the PNA; or

(b) An AFH, the department-contracted rate based on a thirty-one day month plus the PNA plus the cost of any add-on hours authorized by the department.

(3) The monthly income standard for noninstitutional medical assistance under the medically needy (MN) program equals the private facility rate based on a thirty-one-day month plus the PNA.

(4) The monthly income standard for noninstitutional medical assistance under the general assistance (GA) program equals the GA grant standard described in WAC 388-478-0030.

(5) The department determines a client's nonexcluded resources as described in chapter 388-470 WAC and WAC 388-505-0595.

(6) The department determines a client's nonexcluded income as described in chapter 388-450 WAC, WAC 388-505-0595, 388-506-0620, and 388-511-1130.

(7) The department approves CN noninstitutional medical assistance for a period of up to twelve months for a client who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or who is SSI-related as described in WAC 388-503-0510(1), if:

(a) The client's nonexcluded resources described in subsection (5) do not exceed the standard described in WAC 388-513-1350(1); and

(b) The client's nonexcluded income described in subsection (6) does not exceed the CN standard described in subsection (2).

(8) The department approves MN noninstitutional medical assistance for a period of months described in chapter 388-416 WAC for an SSI-related client, if:

(a) The client's nonexcluded resources described in subsection (5) do not exceed the standard described in WAC 388-513-1350(1); and

(b) The client satisfies any spenddown liability as described in chapter 388-519 WAC.

(9) The department approves GA noninstitutional medical assistance for a period of months described in chapter 388-416 WAC for a client determined eligible for the program as described in WAC 388-400-0025.

(10) The client described in subsections (7) and (9) keeps the PNA amount and pays remaining income to the facility for board and room.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.500.  99-06-045, § 388-513-1305, filed 2/26/99, effective 3/29/99.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.  94-10-065 (Order 3732), § 388-513-1305, filed 5/3/94, effective 6/3/94.  Formerly parts of WAC 388-83-036 and 388-99-036.]

(((1) A person is eligible for institutional care under the categorically needy program, if the person:

(a) Has achieved institutional status as described under WAC 388-513-1320; and

(b) Has gross nonexempt income:

(i) For an SSI-related person, no greater than three hundred percent of the SSI Federal Benefit Amount; or

(ii) For a TANF-related person, no greater than the one-person program standard as described under chapter 388-478 WAC.  

(c) Has resources which are:

(i) Not exempt under WAC 388-513-1360 and 388-513-1365, and

(ii) Less than the standards under WAC 388-513-1310 and 388-513-1395; and

(d) Is not subject to a period of ineligibility for transferring of resources under WAC 388-513-1365.

(2) A person is eligible for institutional care under the limited casualty program--medically needy, if the person meets the requirements in WAC 388-513-1395.

(3) For an AFDC- or TANF-related child under eighteen years of age residing or expected to reside in inpatient chemical dependency treatment or inpatient mental health treatment refer to chapters 388-408, 388-450, and 388-470 WAC.

(4) For other institutionalized persons twenty years of age or younger, the income and resources of the parents are not considered available unless the income and resources are actually contributed.

(5) A person is eligible for Medicaid who:

(a) Meets institutional status as a psychiatric facility resident; and

(b) Is twenty years of age or younger or is sixty-five years of age or older.

(6) A client's income and resources are allocated as described under WAC 388-513-1380.

(7) When both spouses are institutionalized, the department shall determine the eligibility of each spouse individually.

(8) A person's transfer between medical institutions is not a change in institutional status)) This section describes how the department determines a client's eligibility for institutional, waivered, or hospice services under the categorically needy (CN) program and institutional or hospice services under the medically needy (MN) program. Also described are the eligibility requirements for these services under the general assistance (GA) program in subsection (11) and emergency medical programs described in subsections (10) and (12).

(1) To be eligible for long-term care (LTC) services described in this section, a client must:

(a) Meet the general eligibility requirements for medical programs described in WAC 388-503-0505 (2) and (3)(a) through (f);

(b) Attain institutional status as described in WAC 388-513-1320; and

(c) Not be subject to a penalty period of ineligibility as described in WAC 388-513-1365 and 388-513-1366.

(2) To be eligible for institutional, waivered, or hospice services under the CN program, a client must either:

(a) Be related to the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program as described in WAC 388-503-0510(1) or be approved for the general assistance expedited Medicaid disability (GA-X) program; and

(b) Meet the following financial requirements, by having:

(i) Gross nonexcluded income described in subsection (7)(a) that does not exceed the special income level (SIL); and

(ii) Nonexcluded resources described in subsection (6) that do not exceed the resource standard described in WAC 388-513-1350(1), unless subsection (3) applies; or

(c) Be eligible for the CN children's medical program as described in WAC 388-505-0210; or

(d) Be eligible for the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program or state family assistance (SFA) program as described in WAC 388-505-0220.

(3) The department allows a client to have nonexcluded resources in excess of the standard described in WAC 388-513-1350(1) during the month of either an application or eligibility review if, when excess resources are added to nonexcluded income, the combined total does not exceed the SIL.

(4) To be eligible for waivered or hospice services, a client must also meet the program requirements described in:

(a) WAC 388-515-1505 for COPES services;

(b) WAC 388-515-1510 for CAP and OBRA services;

(c) WAC 388-515-1530 for CASA services; or

(d) Chapter 388-551 WAC for hospice services.

(5) To be eligible for institutional or hospice services under the MN program, a client must:

(a) Be related to the SSI program as described in WAC 388-503-0510(1);

(b) Be eligible for the MN children's medical program as described in WAC 388-505-0210; and

(c) Meet all requirements described in WAC 388-513-1395.

(6) To determine resource eligibility for an SSI-related client under the CN or MN program, the department:

(a) Considers resources available as described in WAC 388-513-1350;

(b) Excludes resources described in WAC 388-513-1360, 388-513-1365, and 388-513-1366; and

(c) Compares the nonexcluded resources to the standard described in WAC 388-513-1350(1).

(7) To determine income eligibility for an SSI-related client under the CN or MN program, the department:

(a) Considers income available as described in WAC 388-513-1325 and 388-513-1330;

(b) Excludes income for CN and MN programs as described in WAC 388-513-1340;

(c) Disregards income for the MN program as described in WAC 388-513-1345; and

(c) Follows program rules for the MN program as described in WAC 388-513-1395.

(8) A client who meets the requirements of the CN program is approved for a period of up to twelve months for:

(a) Institutional services in a medical facility;

(b) Waivered services at home or in an alternate living facility; or

(c) Hospice services at home or in a medical facility.

(9) A client who meets the requirements of the MN program is approved for a period of months described in WAC 388-513-1395 (5)(a)(ii) for:

(a) Institutional services in a medical facility; or

(b) Hospice services at home or in a medical facility.

(10) The department determines eligibility for LTC services under the alien emergency medical (AEM) program described in WAC 388-438-0110 for a client who meets all other requirements for such services but does not meet citizenship requirements.

(11) The department determines eligibility for institutional services under the GA program described in WAC 388-448-0001 for a client who meets all other requirements for such services but is not eligible for programs described in subsections (8) through (10).

(12) The department determines eligibility for institutional services under the medically indigent program described in WAC 388-438-0100 for a client who meets all other requirements for such services but is not eligible for programs described in subsections (8) through (11).

(13) A client is eligible for Medicaid as a resident in a psychiatric facility, if the client:

(a) Has attained institutional status as described in WAC 388-513-1320; and

(b) Is less than twenty-one years old or is at least sixty-five years old.

(14) The department determines a client's eligibility as it does for a single person when the client's spouse has already been determined eligible for LTC services.

(15) The department considers the parents' income and resources available as described in WAC 388-405-0055 (1)(c) for a minor who is less than eighteen years old and is receiving or is expected to receive inpatient chemical dependency and/or inpatient mental health treatment.

(16) The department considers the parents' income and resources available only as contributed for a client who is less than twenty-one years old and has attained institutional status as described in WAC 388-513-1320

(17) The department determines a client’s participation in the cost of care for LTC services as described in WAC 388-513-1380.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.500.  99-06-045, § 388-513-1315, filed 2/26/99, effective 3/29/99.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090 and 42 CFR 435.1005.  98-04-003, § 388-513-1315, filed 1/22/98, effective 2/22/98.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.  96-11-072 (Order 3980), § 388-513-1315, filed 5/10/96, effective 6/10/96.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 1995 c 312 § 48.  95-19-007 (Order 3895), § 388-513-1315, filed 9/6/95, effective 10/7/95.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.  94-10-065 (Order 3732), § 388-513-1315, filed 5/3/94, effective 6/3/94.]

Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-06-045, filed 2/26/99, effective 3/29/99)

WAC 388-513-1320
Determining institutional status for long-term care (LTC) services.

(((1) The department shall find that a person has achieved institutional status when the person is residing or expected to reside in a Medicaid-certified medical facility for a period of at least:

(a) Ninety consecutive days for TANF-related child seventeen years of age or younger in residential mental health or chemical dependency/substance abuse treatment; or

(b) Thirty consecutive days for an SSI-related person and TANF-related persons other than as described under subsection (1)(a) of this section.

(2) The department shall consider a person receiving waivered program services or hospice services to have achieved institutional status.

(3) The department shall make medical assistance available to an otherwise eligible person who has achieved institutional status as described under subsection (1) or (2) of this section.

(4) The department shall not deny Medicaid eligibility to a person in a nursing facility:

(a) On the grounds that the person did not establish residence in this state before entering the nursing facility; and

(b) When the person meets residency requirements described under chapter 388-468 WAC at the time the person applies for medical assistance))Institutional status is an eligibility requirement for LTC services.

(1) To attain institutional status, a client must:

(a) Be approved for and receiving waivered or hospice services; or

(b) Reside or be likely to reside in a medical facility for a continuous period of:

(i) Ninety days for a child seventeen years of age or younger receiving inpatient chemical dependency and/or inpatient mental health treatment; or

(ii) Thirty days for:

(A) An SSI-related client;

(B) A child not described in subsection (1)(b)(i); or

(C) A client related to medical eligibility as described in WAC 388-513-1315 (10), (11), or (12).

(2) A client’s institutional status is not affected by a:

(a) Transfer between medical facilities; or

(b) Change from one kind of long-term care services to another.

(3) A client loses institutional status when the client:

(a) Is absent from the medical facility for at least thirty consecutive days; or

(b) Does not receive waivered or hospice services for at least thirty consecutive days.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.500.  99-06-045, § 388-513-1320, filed 2/26/99, effective 3/29/99.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090 and 42 CFR 435.403 (j)(2).  97-15-025, § 388-513-1320, filed 7/8/97, effective 8/8/97.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.  96-11-072 (Order 3980), § 388-513-1320, filed 5/10/96, effective 6/10/96; 94-10-065 (Order 3732), § 388-513-1320, filed 5/3/94, effective 6/3/94.]

This section describes income the department considers available when determining a single client's eligibility for LTC services.

(1) Refer to WAC 388-513-1330 for rules related to available income for legally married couples.

(2) The department must apply the following rules when determining income eligibility for LTC services:

(a) WAC 388-450-0005 (3) and (4), Income--Ownership and availability;

(b) WAC 388-450-0085, Self-employment income--Allowable expenses;

(c) WAC 388-450-0210 (4)(b), (e), and (h), Countable income for medical programs;

(d) WAC 388-506-0620, SSI-related medical clients; and

(e) WAC 388-511-1130, SSI-related income availability.

[]

(((1) Income is defined under chapters 388-450 and 388-511 WAC for a SSI-related client and under chapter 388-450 WAC for a TANF-related client.

(2) The methodology and standards for determining and evaluating income are defined under chapter 388-513 WAC.

(3) The department shall consider the following income available to an institutionalized person when determining income eligibility unless the criteria in subsection (4) of this section is met:

(a) Income the institutionalized spouse receives in the institutionalized spouse's name;

(b) Income paid on the behalf of the institutionalized spouse, but received in the name of the institutionalized spouse's representative;

(c) One-half of the income the community and institutionalized spouses receive in both names; and

(d) Income from a trust as provided by the trust.

(4) The department shall consider income as available to an institutionalized person when:

(a) Both spouses are institutionalized; or

(b) An institutionalized person has a community spouse and income in excess of three hundred percent of the SSI federal benefit rate (FBR).  For the determination of eligibility only:

(i) Use community property law in determining ownership of income for purposes of Medicaid eligibility;

(ii) Presume all income received after marriage by husband or wife to be community income;

(iii) Divide the total of the community income, by two assigning one-half of the total to each person; and

(iv) Consider if the community income received in the name of the nonapplying spouse exceeds the community income received in the name of the applying spouse, the applicant's interest in that excess shall be unavailable to the applicant.

(5) The department shall consider income the community spouse receives in the community spouse's name as unavailable to the institutionalized spouse.

(6) The department shall consider an agreement between spouses transferring or assigning rights to future income from one spouse to the other spouse, or to a trust for the benefit of the other spouse, to the extent the income is not derived from a resource which has been transferred, as invalid in determining eligibility for medical assistance or the limited casualty program for the medically needy.

(7) The department shall consider any agreement or trust transferring or assigning rights to future income, to the extent the income is not derived from a resource which has been transferred, as invalid in determining eligibility for medical assistance or the limited casualty program for the medically needy.

(8) The department shall consider income produced by transferred or assigned resources as the separate income of the transferee.

(9) When an institutionalized spouse establishes the unavailability of income by a preponderance of evidence through a fair hearing, subsection (3) of this section shall not apply.

(10) See WAC 388-511-1130 for treatment of advance dated checks, and electronically transferred funds)) This section describes income the department considers available when determining a legally married client's eligibility for LTC services.

(1) The department must apply the following rules when determining income eligibility for LTC services:

(a) WAC 388-450-0005 (3) and (4), Income--Ownership and availability;

(b) WAC 388-450-0085, Self-employment income--Allowable expenses;

(c) WAC 388-450-0210 (4)(b), (e), and (h), Countable income for medical programs;

(d) WAC 388-506-0620, SSI-related medical clients; and

(e) WAC 388-511-1130, SSI-related income availability.

(2) For an institutionalized client married to a community spouse who is not applying or approved for LTC services, the department considers the following income available, unless subsection (4) applies:

(a) Income received in the client's name;

(b) Income paid to a representative on the client's behalf;

(c) One-half of the income received in the names of both spouses; and

(d) Income from a trust as provided by the trust.

(3) The department considers the following income unavailable to an institutionalized client:

(a) Separate or community income received in the name of the community spouse; and

(b) Income established as unavailable through a fair hearing.

(4) For the determination of eligibility only, if available income described in subsections (2)(a) through (d) minus income exclusions described in WAC 388-513-1340 exceeds the special income level (SIL), then:

(a) The department follows community property law when determining ownership of income;

(b) Presumes all income received after marriage by either or both spouses to be community income; and

(c) Considers one-half of all community income available to the institutionalized client.

(5) If both spouses are either applying or approved for LTC services, then:

(a) The department allocates one-half of all community income described in subsection (4) to each spouse; and

(b) Adds the separate income of each spouse respectively to determine available income for each of them.

(6) The department considers income generated by a transferred resource to be the separate income of the person or entity to which it is transferred.

(7) The department considers income not generated by a transferred resource available to the client, even when the client transfers or assigns the rights to the income to:

(a) The spouse; or

(b) A trust for the benefit of the spouse.

(8) The department evaluates the transfer of a resource described in subsection (6) according to WAC 388-513-1365 and 388-513-1366 to determine whether a penalty period of ineligibility is required.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.500.  99-06-045, § 388-513-1330, filed 2/26/99, effective 3/29/99.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.05.040 and 20 CFR 416.1110-1112, 1123 and 1160.  97-10-022, § 388-513-1330, filed 4/28/97, effective 5/29/97.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and Title XIX State Agency Letter #94-33.  95-02-028 (Order 3819), § 388-513-1330, filed 12/28/94, effective 1/28/95.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.  94-10-065 (Order 3732), § 388-513-1330, filed 5/3/94, effective 6/3/94.  Formerly parts of WAC 388-95-335 and 388-95-340.]

This section ((describes those resources which are considered available to an institutionalized client.

(1) Resources are defined under chapter 388-470 WAC for an SSI-related client and a TANF-related client.

(2) The methodology and standards for determining and evaluating resources are under WAC 388-513-1310, 388-513-1350, and 388-513-1360.  Transfers of resources are evaluated under WAC 388-513-1365. Trusts are described under WAC 388-505-0595.

(3) "Continuously institutionalized" means a person is residing in a nursing facility or receiving home-based or community-based waivered services and the person has not had an absence or break in receiving services of thirty-consecutive days.

(4) For a person whose most recent period of continuous institutionalization began on or before September 30, 1989:

(a) Available resources are one-half of the total value of nonexempt resources held in the:

(i) Names of both the institutionalized spouse and the community spouse; or

(ii) Name of the institutionalized spouse only.

(b) Unavailable resources are:

(i) The other half of the total value of nonexempt resources determined under subsection (3)(a) of this section;

(ii) Held solely in the name of the community spouse; or

(iii) Transferred between spouses as described under subsection (4)(b) of this section.

(5) For a person, whose most recent period of continuous institutionalization starts on or after October 1, 1989, available resources include all nonexempt resources in the name of either the community spouse or the institutionalized spouse except;

(a) The following resources are exempt when the institutionalized person has a community spouse:

(i) One vehicle without regard to use or value; and

(ii) Effective January 1, 1998, eighty thousand seven hundred sixty dollars; or

(b) An amount greater than the amount in subsection (4)(a)(ii) of this section if:

(i) Established by a fair hearing under chapter 388-08 WAC when the community spouse's resource allowance is inadequate to provide a minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance; or

(ii) Transferred to the community spouse by court order.

(6) Resources of the institutional spouse must be transferred to the community spouse or to another person for the sole benefit of the community spouse:

(i) Before the first regularly scheduled eligibility review; or

(ii) As soon as possible, taking into account the time necessary to obtain a court order for the support of the community spouse.

(7) The resources of the community spouse are:

(a) Unavailable to the institutionalized spouse:

(i) The month after the institutionalized spouse is determined eligible for institutional benefits; and

(ii) While the institutionalized spouse is continuously institutionalized.

(b) Available to the institutionalized spouse when the institutionalized spouse:

(i) Acquires resources which, when added to resources held by the institutionalized spouse, exceed the one-person resource maximum, if the most recent period of institutionalization began on or after October 1, 1989; or

(ii) Is not continuously institutionalized)) describes how the department defines the resource standard and available resources when determining a client's eligibility for LTC services. The department uses the term "resource standard" to describe the maximum amount of resources a client can have and be resource eligible for program benefits.

(1) The resource standard used to determine eligibility for LTC services equals:

(a) Two thousand dollars for a single client; or

(b) Three thousand dollars for a legally married couple, unless subsection (2) applies.

(2) If the department has already established eligibility for one spouse, then it applies the standard described in subsection (1)(a) to each spouse, unless doing so would make one of the spouses ineligible.

(3) The department must apply the following rules when determining available resources for LTC services:

(a) WAC 388-470-0005, Resource eligibility and limits;

(b) WAC 388-470-0010, How to determine who owns a resource;

(c) WAC 388-470-0015, Availability of resources; and

(d) WAC 388-506-0620, SSI-related medical clients.

(4) The department determines a client's nonexcluded resources used to establish eligibility for LTC services in the following way:

(a) For an SSI-related client, the department reduces available resources by excluding resources described in WAC 388-513-1360;

(b) For an SSI-related client who has a community spouse, the department:

(i) Excludes resources described in WAC 388-513-1360; and

(ii) Adds together the available resources of both spouses according to subsection (5)(a) or (b) as appropriate;

(c) For a client not described in subsection (4)(a) or (b), the department applies the resource rules of the program used to relate the client to medical eligibility.

(5) A change in federal law that took effect on October 1, 1989 affects the way the department determines available resources of a legally married client. If the client's current period of institutional status began:

(a) On or after that date, the department adds together the total amount of nonexcluded resources held in the name of:

(i) Either spouse; or

(ii) Both spouses.

(b) Before that date, the department adds together one-half the total amount of nonexcluded resources held in the name of:

(i) The institutionalized spouse; or

(ii) Both spouses;

(6) If subsection (5)(a) applies, the department allocates the maximum amount of resources ordinarily allowed by law to the community spouse before determining nonexcluded resources used to establish eligibility for the institutionalized spouse. The maximum allocation amount is eighty-one thousand, nine hundred and sixty dollars effective January 1, 1999.

(7) The amount of allocated resources described in subsection (6) can be increased, only if:

(a) A court transfers additional resources to the community spouse; or

(b) An administrative law judge establishes in a fair hearing described in chapter 388-08 WAC that the amount is inadequate to provide a minimum monthly maintenance needs amount for the community spouse.

(8) The department considers resources of the community spouse unavailable to the institutionalized spouse the month after eligibility for LTC services is established, unless subsections (9)(a), (b), or (c) apply.

(9) A redetermination of the couples' resources as described in subsections (4)(b) or (c) is required, if:

(a) The institutionalized spouse has a break of at least thirty consecutive days in a period of institutional status;

(b) The institutionalized spouse's nonexcluded resources exceed the standard described in subsection (1)(a), if subsection (5)(a) applies; or

(c) The institutionalized spouse does not transfer the amount described in subsections (6) or (7) to the community spouse or to another person for the sole benefit of the community spouse as described in WAC 388-513-1365(4) by either:

(A) The first regularly scheduled eligibility review; or

(B) The reasonable amount of additional time necessary to obtain a court order for the support of the community spouse.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.500.  99-06-045, § 388-513-1350, filed 2/26/99, effective 3/29/99.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.09.530, 74.09.575 and Section 1924 (42 USC 1396r-5).  98-11-033, § 388-513-1350, filed 5/14/98, effective 6/14/98.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.08.090 and 74.09.575.  97-09-112, § 388-513-1350, filed 4/23/97, effective 5/24/97.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and Title XIX State Agency Letter 95-44.  96-09-033 (Order 3963), § 388-513-1350, filed 4/10/96, effective 5/11/96.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and Title XIX State Agency Letter 94-49, notice of increase in SSI level.  95-05-022 (Order 3832), § 388-513-1350, filed 2/8/95, effective 3/11/95.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.  94-23-129 (Order 3808), § 388-513-1350, filed 11/23/94, effective 12/24/94; 94-10-065 (Order 3732), § 388-513-1350, filed 5/3/94, effective 6/3/94.  Formerly parts of WAC 388-95-337 and 388-95-340.]

(((1) In determining eligibility, the department shall exempt resources specified under chapter 388-470 WAC.

(2) Effective July 1, 1996, the department shall exempt resources:

(a) For an aged, blind, or disabled person who has purchased a long-term care insurance policy approved by the Washington insurance commissioner under the Washington long-term care partnership program; and

(b) In an amount equal to the extent such policy has paid for licensed nursing facility and/or home- and community-based services covered under Medicaid.

(3) The department shall consider exempt resources described under subsection (2) of this section subject to estate recovery rules when the client has retained such resources.

(4) The department shall apply WAC 388-513-1365 for transfers of resources with the exception of resources exempted under subsection (2) of this section)) This section describes resources the department excludes when determining a client's eligibility for LTC services.

(1) Effective July 1, 1996, if an aged, blind, or disabled client purchases a long-term care insurance policy approved by the Washington insurance commissioner under the Washington long-term care partnership program, the department reduces the client's available resources by the amount paid by the policy for LTC services. The amount the department excludes in this process is not subject to the rules described in WAC 388-513-1365 and 388-513-1366 for a transfer of assets.

(2) The amount of resources described in subsection (1) remains subject to estate recovery rules, if the client retained ownership of them.

(3) If a client has a community spouse, the value of one automobile is excluded regardless of its use or value. This is in addition to the vehicle described in WAC 388-470-0070, if the client's current period of institutional status began on or after October 1, 1989.

(4) For SSI-related clients, the department excludes resources described in WAC 388-470-0040.

(5) For clients who are not SSI-related, the department excludes resources according to the rules of the program used to relate them to medical eligibility.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.500.  99-06-045, § 388-513-1360, filed 2/26/99, effective 3/29/99.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 48.85.020.  96-12-002 (Order 3982), § 388-513-1360, filed 5/22/96, effective 6/22/96.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.  94-10-065 (Order 3732), § 388-513-1360, filed 5/3/94, effective 6/3/94.  Formerly WAC 388-95-380.]

(((1) The terms in this section shall have the following definitions:

(a) "Assets" means all income and resources of a client and the client's spouse, including such income or resources the person is entitled to but does not receive because of action by:

(i) The client or the client's spouse;

(ii) A person, court or administrative body, with legal authority to act in place of or on behalf of the client or the client's spouse; or

(iii) A person, court or administrative body, acting at the direction or upon the request of the client or the client's spouse.

(b) "Community spouse" means the person married to an institutionalized client.

(c) "Fair market value (FMV)" means the price the asset may reasonably sell for on the open market at the time of transfer or assignment.  A transfer of assets for love and affection is not considered a transfer for FMV.

(d) "Institutional services" means a level of care provided in a nursing facility, equivalent nursing facility in a medical institution, or in a home-based or community-based program under WAC 388-515-1505 or 388-515-1510.

(e) "Institutional spouse" means a client who meets the requirements of subsection (1)(f) of this section and is married to a spouse who is not:

(i) In a medical institution;

(ii) In a nursing facility; or

(iii) Receiving home-based or community-based services under WAC 388-515-1505 or 388-515-1510.

(f) "Institutionalized client" means a person who is:

(i) An inpatient in a nursing facility;

(ii) An inpatient in a medical institution where the payment is made for a level of care provided in a nursing facility; or

(iii) In need of the level of care provided in a nursing facility or medical institution, but receiving home-based or community-based services under WAC 388-515-1505 or 388-515-1510; and

(iv) Expected to be in a nursing facility, in a medical institution, or receiving home-based or community-based services under WAC 388-515-1505 or 388-515-1510 for thirty consecutive days or more.

(g) "Transfer" means any act or omission to act, by a client or a nonapplying joint tenant, whereby title to or any interest in property is assigned, set over, or otherwise vested or allowed to vest in another person, including but not limited to:

(i) Delivery of personal property;

(ii) Bills of sale, deeds, mortgages, and pledges; or

(iii) Any other instrument conveying or relinquishing an interest in property.

(h) "Uncompensated value" means the FMV of an asset at the time of transfer minus the value of compensation the person receives in exchange for the resource.

(i) "Undue hardship" means the client's inability to meet shelter, food, clothing, and health needs.

(j) "Value of compensation received" means the consideration the purchaser pays or agrees to pay.  Compensation includes:

(i) All money, real or personal property, food, shelter, or services the person receives under a legally enforceable agreement whereby the eligible client shall transfer the resource; and

(ii) The payment or assumption of a legal debt the client owes in exchange for the resource.

(2) The department shall not impose any penalty for the transfer of any exempt asset for less than FMV except as specified under subsection (11) of this section when the client transfers the client's home.

(3) The department shall determine whether the client or the client's spouse transferred an asset within a look-back period of the following duration:

(a) Thirty months when determining eligibility for services received:

(i) On or before September 30, 1993; or

(ii) On or after October 1, 1993, with respect to transfers of assets on or before August 10, 1993;

(b) Thirty-six months when determining eligibility for services on or after October 1, 1993, with respect to transfers of assets on or after August 11, 1993; or

(c) Sixty months when determining eligibility for services received on or after October 1, 1993, and all or part of the transferred assets are placed in a trust established on or after August 11, 1993, and all or part of the assets are deemed transferred as described under WAC 388-505-0595.

(4) The department shall consider the look-back period as the number of months described under subsection (3) of this section but not including any month before August, 1993 in the case of subsections (3)(b) and (3)(c) of this section, before the first day of the month the client:

(a) Becomes an institutionalized person, if the client is eligible for medical assistance on that date; or

(b) Applies for institutional care when the client is not eligible for medical assistance as of the date the client initially became institutionalized.

(5) The department shall calculate a period of ineligibility for nursing facility services, equivalent nursing facility services in a medical institution, and services described under WAC 388-515-1505 and 388-515-1510, for the institutionalized client when the client or the client's spouse transfers an asset for less than FMV during or after the look-back periods as described under subsections (3) and (4) of this section.

(6) When the client or the client's spouse has transferred assets, the department shall establish a period of ineligibility:

(a) Under subsection (7) of this section for assets transferred on or before August 10, 1993;

(b) Under subsection (8) of this section for assets transferred on or after August 11, 1993 and on or before February 28, 1997; and

(c) Under subsection (9) of this section for assets transferred on or after March 1, 1997.

(7) With respect to transfers of assets on or before August 10, 1993, and in any month within the applicable look-back period, the department shall establish a period of ineligibility which:

(a) Begins the first day of the month in which the assets were transferred;

(b) Is the lessor of:

(i) Thirty months; or

(ii) The number of whole months found by dividing the total uncompensated value of the assets transferred in the month by the state-wide average monthly cost of nursing facility services to a private patient at the time of the application; and

(c) Runs concurrently when transfers of assets have been made in multiple months during the look-back period.

(8) With respect to transfers of assets on or after August 11, 1993 and on or before February 28, 1997, and in any month within the applicable look-back period occurring on or after August 11, 1993, the department shall establish a period of ineligibility as follows:

(a) For such transfers during the look-back period:

(i) The period of ineligibility shall begin on the first day of the month in which such assets were transferred; and

(ii) Equal the number of whole months found by dividing the total, cumulative uncompensated value of all such assets transferred during the look-back period by the state-wide average monthly cost of nursing facility services to a private patient at the time of application.

(b) For such transfers of assets made while receiving medical assistance as an institutionalized client, or for such transfers made during a period of ineligibility established under this section:

(i) The period of ineligibility shall begin on the first day of the month in which such assets were transferred, or after the expiration of all other periods of ineligibility established under this section, whichever is later; and

(ii) Equal the number of whole months found by dividing the total, uncompensated value of such transferred assets by the state-wide average monthly cost of nursing facility services to a private patient at the time of application.

(9) With respect to transfers of assets on or after March 1, 1997 and in any month within the applicable look-back period occurring on or after August 11, 1993, the department shall:

(a) For a single transfer or multiple transfers within a single month during the look-back period:

(i) Add the value of all transferred assets;

(ii) Divide the total value of all transferred assets by the statewide average monthly cost of nursing facility services to a private patient at the time of application; and

(iii) Establish a period of ineligibility:

(A) Equal to the number of whole months as established under subsection (9)(a)(i) and (ii) of this section; and

(B) Which begins on the first day of the month of transfer.

(b) For multiple transfers during multiple months during the look-back period:

(i) Treat assets transferred in each month as a separate event with its own period of ineligibility;

(ii) Divide the total value of assets transferred in a month by the statewide average monthly cost of nursing facility services to a private patient at the time of application; and

(iii) Establish multiple periods of ineligibility:

(A) Equal to the number of whole months as established under subsection (9)(b)(i) and (ii) of this section; and

(B) Which begin the latter of:

(I) The first day of the month of each transfer; or

(II) The first day of the month following the expiration of a previously computed period of ineligibility.

(10) The department shall not consider gifts or donations totaling one thousand dollars or under in any month as transfers of assets under subsections (7), (8), or (9) of this section.

(11) The department shall not find the institutionalized client ineligible for institutionalized services when the transferred asset was a home and the home was transferred to the client's:

(a) Spouse; or

(b) Child who is:

(i) Blind, or permanently and totally disabled; or

(ii) Twenty years of age or under.

(c) Sibling who has:

(i) Equity in the home; and

(ii) Lived in the home for at least one year immediately before the client became institutionalized.

(d) Child, other than described under subsection (11)(b) of this section who:

(i) Lived in the home for two years or more immediately before the client became institutionalized; and

(ii) Provided care to the client to permit the client to remain at home.

(12) The department shall not find the institutionalized client ineligible for institutionalized services if the asset other than the home was transferred:

(a) To the client's spouse or to another person for the sole benefit of the client's spouse;

(b) From the client's spouse to another person for the sole benefit of the client's spouse;

(c) To the client's blind or permanently and totally disabled child, or to a trust established solely for the benefit of such child; or

(d) To a trust established solely for the benefit of a person sixty-four years of age or younger who is disabled according to SSI criteria.

(13) The department shall only consider a transfer of assets or trust established under subsection (12) of this section for the sole benefit of the named person when:

(a) The transfer or trust document provides for the expenditure of funds for the benefit of the person; and

(b) Such expenditures must be on a basis that is actuarially sound, based on the life expectancy of the person.

(14) The department shall consider a transfer of asset or trust established under subsection (12) of this section which does not meet the criteria found under subsection (13) of this section under subsection (7), (8), or (9) of this section.

(15) The department shall not find a person ineligible under this section when the client can satisfactorily show the department that:

(a) The client intended to transfer the asset at FMV or other valuable consideration;

(b) The client transferred the asset exclusively for a purpose other than to qualify for medical assistance;

(c) All assets transferred by the client for less than FMV have been returned to the client; or

(d) The client's denial of eligibility would cause an undue hardship.

(16) The department shall not impose a period of ineligibility on a client unless the client is subject to a period of ineligibility, as calculated under this section, with respect to any month for which eligibility for institutional services is sought.

(17) A client or the spouse of such a client, the department determines ineligible under this section, may request a hearing to appeal the determination of ineligibility.  The procedure for the hearing is described under chapter 388-08 WAC.

(18) The department shall:

(a) Exempt cash received from the sale, transfer, or exchange of an asset to the extent that the cash is used for an exempt asset within the same month, except as specified under chapter 388-470 WAC; and

(b) Consider any cash remaining as an available asset.

(19) When the transfer of an asset has resulted in a period of ineligibility for one spouse, the department shall not impose a period of ineligibility for the other spouse for the transfer of the same asset.

(20) The department shall disregard the transfer of assets to a family member when:

(a) The family member has received the assets for providing care to the client which keeps the client out of a nursing facility;

(b) The client and the family member initiated a written agreement at the time the care began; and

(c) The written agreement states:

(i) The fair market value of the care; and

(ii) That the care is to be paid from the assets of the client.

(21) When the fair market value of the care described under subsection (20) of this section is less than the value of the transferred asset, the department shall consider the difference as the transfer of an asset without adequate consideration.

(22) The department shall consider the transfer of an asset in exchange for care given by a family member without a written agreement as described under subsection (20) of this section as a transfer of an asset without adequate consideration.

(23) When the transfer of an asset includes the right to receive a stream of income received on a regular basis which has been transferred to a spouse, to the extent the income is not derived from a transferred resource, the department shall consider such a transfer under WAC 388-513-1330(6).

(24) When the transfer of an asset includes the right to receive a stream of income received on a regular basis which has been transferred to a person other than a spouse, to the extent the income is not derived from a transferred resource, the department shall:

(a) Add the total amount of income expected to be transferred during the person's lifetime, based on an actuarial projection of the person's life expectancy to the extent the income is not derived from a transferred resource; and

(b) Divide the total value of the transferred income by the statewide average monthly cost of nursing facility services to a private patient at the time of application; and

(c) Establish a period of ineligibility:

(i) Equal to the number of whole months as established under subsection (24)(a) and (b) of this section; and

(ii) Which begins the latter of:

(A) The first day of the month the person transferred the income stream; or

(B) The first day of the month following the expiration of a previously computed period of ineligibility)) This section describes how the department evaluates the transfer of an asset made on or after March 1, 1997, by a client who is applying or approved for LTC services. The department must consider whether a transfer made within a specified time before the month of application requires a penalty period in which the client is not eligible for these services. Refer to WAC 388-513-1366 for rules used to evaluate the transfer of an asset made before March 1, 1997.

(1) The department disregards the following transfers by the client, if they meet the conditions described:

(a) Gifts or donations totaling one thousand dollars or less in any month;

(b) The transfer of an excluded resource described in WAC 388-513-1360 with the exception of the client's home, unless the transfer meets the conditions described in subsection (1)(d);

(c) The transfer of an asset for less than fair market value (FMV), if the client can provide evidence to the department that satisfies one of the following:

(i) An intent to transfer the asset at FMV or other adequate compensation;

(ii) The transfer is not made to qualify for LTC services;

(iii) The client is given back ownership of the asset;

(iv) The denial of eligibility would result in an undue hardship.

(d) The transfer of ownership of the client's home, if it is transferred to the client's:

(i) Spouse; or

(ii) Child, who:

(A) Meets the disability criteria described in WAC 388-511-1105 (1)(b) or (c); or

(B) Is less than twenty-one years old; or

(iii) A son or daughter, who:

(A) Lived in the home for at least two years immediately before the client's current period of institutional status; and

(B) Provided care that enabled the client to remain in the home; or

(iv) A brother or sister, who has:

(A) Equity in the home, and

(B) Lived in the home for at least one year immediately before the client's current period of institutional status.

(e) The transfer of an asset other than the home, if the transfer meets the conditions described in subsection (4), and the asset is transferred:

(i) To the client's spouse or to another person for the sole benefit of the spouse;

(ii) From the client's spouse to another person for the sole benefit of the spouse;

(iii) To the client's child who meets the disability criteria described in WAC 388-511-1105 (1)(b) or (c) or to a trust established for the sole benefit of this child; or

(iv) To a trust established for the sole benefit of a person who is sixty-fours years old or younger and meets the disability criteria described in WAC 388-511-1105 (1)(b) or (c).

(f) The transfer of an asset to a member of the client's family in exchange for care the family member provided the client before the current period of institutional status, if a written agreement that describes the terms of the exchange:

(i) Was established at the time the care began;

(ii) Defines a reasonable FMV for the care provided that reflects a time frame based on the actuarial life expectancy of the client who transfers the asset; and

(iii) States that the transferred asset is considered payment for the care provided.

(2) When the fair market value of the care described in subsection (1)(f) is less than the value of the transferred asset, the department considers the difference the transfer of an asset without adequate consideration.

(3) The department considers the transfer of an asset in exchange for care given by a family member without a written agreement as described under subsection (1)(f) as the transfer of an asset without adequate consideration.

(4) The transfer of an asset or the establishment of a trust is considered to be for the sole benefit of a person described in subsection (1)(e), if the transfer or trust:

(a) Is established by a legal document that makes the transfer irrevocable; and

(b) Provides for spending all funds involved for the benefit of the person for whom the transfer is made within a time frame based on the actuarial life expectancy of that person.

(5) When evaluating the effect of the transfer of an asset on a client's eligibility for LTC services received on or after October 1, 1993, the department counts the number of months before the month of application to establish what is referred to as the "look-back" period. The following number of months apply as described:

(a) Thirty-six months, if all or part of the assets were transferred on or after August 11, 1993; and

(b) Sixty months, if all or part of the assets were transferred into a trust as described in WAC 388-505-0595.

(6) If a client or the client's spouse transfers an asset within the look-back period without receiving adequate compensation, the result is a penalty period in which the client is not eligible for LTC services. If a client or the client's spouse transfers an asset on or after March 1, 1997, the department must establish a penalty period as follows:

(a) If a single or multiple transfers are made within a single month, then the penalty period:

(i) Begins on the first day of the month in which the transfer is made; and

(ii) Ends on the last day of the number of whole months found by dividing the total uncompensated value of the assets by the statewide average monthly private cost for nursing facilities at the time of application.

(b) If multiple transfers are made during multiple months, then the transfers are treated as separate events and multiple penalty periods are established that:

(i) Begin on the latter of:

(A) The first day of the month in which the transfer is made; or

(B) The first day after any previous penalty period has ended; and

(ii) End on the last day of the whole number of months as described in subsection (6)(a)(ii).

(7) If an asset is sold, transferred, or exchanged, the portion of the proceeds:

(a) That is used within the same month to acquire an excluded resource described in WAC 388-513-1360 does not affect the client's eligibility;

(b) That remains after an acquisition described in subsection (7)(a) becomes an available resource as of the first day of the following month.

(8) If the transfer of an asset to the client's spouse includes the right to receive a stream of income not generated by a transferred resource, the department must apply rules described in WAC 388-513-1330 (6) through (8).

(9) If the transfer of an asset for which adequate compensation is not received is made to a person other than the client's spouse and includes the right to receive a stream not generated by a transferred resource, the length of the penalty period is determined and applied in the following way:

(a) The total amount of income that reflects a time frame based on the actuarial life expectancy of the client who transfers the income is added together;

(b) The amount described in (9)(a) is divided by the statewide average monthly private cost for nursing facilities at the time of application; and

(c) A penalty period equal to the number of whole months found by following subsections (9)(a) and (b) is applied that begins on the latter of:

(i) The first day of the month in which the client transfers the income; or

(ii) The first day of the month after any previous penalty period has ended.

(10) A penalty period for the transfer of an asset that is applied to one spouse is not applied to the other spouse, unless:

(a) Both spouses are receiving LTC services; and

(b) A division of the penalty period between the spouses is requested.

(11) If a client or the client's spouse disagrees with the determination or application of a penalty period, that person may request a fair hearing as described in chapter 388-08 WAC.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.500.  99-06-045, § 388-513-1365, filed 2/26/99, effective 3/29/99.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.09.585 and § 17 of the Social Security Act.  97-05-040, § 388-513-1365, filed 2/14/97, effective 3/17/97.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.  95-02-027 (Order 3818), § 388-513-1365, filed 12/28/94, effective 1/28/95; 94-10-065 (Order 3732), § 388-513-1365, filed 5/3/94, effective 6/3/94.  Formerly WAC 388-95-395.]

This section describes how the department evaluates the transfer of an asset made before March 1, 1997, by a client who is applying or approved for LTC services. The department must consider whether a transfer made within a specified time before the month of application requires a penalty period in which the client is not eligible for these services. Refer to WAC 388-513-1365 for rules used to evaluate the transfer of an asset on or after March 1, 1997.

(1) When evaluating the transfer of an asset made before March 1, 1997, the department must apply rules described in WAC 388-513-1365 (1) through (4) and (7) through (11) in addition to the rules described in this section.

(2) When evaluating the effect of the transfer of an asset on a client's eligibility for LTC services received before October 1, 1993, the department counts the number of months before the month of application to establish what is referred to as the "look-back" period. The following number of months apply as described:

(a) Thirty months, if the asset was transferred before August 11, 1993; or

(b) Thirty-six months, if the asset was transferred on or after August 11, 1993.

(3) If a client or the client's spouse transferred an asset without receiving adequate compensation before August 11, 1993, the department must establish a penalty period that:

(a) Runs concurrently for transfers made in more than one month in the look-back period; and

(b) Begins on the first day of the month in which the asset is transferred and ends on the last day of the month which is the lesser of:

(i) Thirty months after the month of transfer; or

(ii)The number of whole months found by dividing the total uncompensated value of the assets by the statewide average monthly private cost for nursing facilities at the time of application.

(4) If a client or the client's spouse transferred an asset without receiving adequate compensation on or after August 11, 1993 and before March 1, 1997, the department must establish a penalty period as follows:

(a) If the transfer is made during the look-back period, then the penalty period:

(i) Begins on the first day of the month in which the transfer is made; and

(ii)Ends on the last day of the number of whole months described in subsection (3)(b)(ii).

(b) If the transfer is made while the client is receiving LTC services or during a period of ineligibility, then the penalty period:

(i) Begins on the latter of the first day of the month:

(A) In which the transfer is made; or

(B) After a previous penalty period has ended; and

(ii) Ends on the last day of the number of whole months described in subsection (3)(b)(ii).

[]

(((1) The department shall consider a person institutionalized when the person resides in or is expected to reside in a medical facility for thirty consecutive days or more.

(a) The department shall determine:

(i) An SSI/SSP-related person in a medical facility as medically needy when the person's gross income exceeds three hundred percent of the SSI benefit amount;

(ii) A TANF-related child in a medical facility as medically needy if countable income exceeds the one-person TANF grant standard; and

(iii) A TANF-related adult as ineligible.

(b) The department shall determine a client ineligible for the medically needy program when the countable income is more than the private nursing facility rate plus verifiable recurring medical expenses.

(c) The department shall determine countable income of a medically needy client residing in a nursing facility by deducting the following amounts from gross income:

(i) Amounts that would be deducted in determining eligibility for TANF or SSI/SSP; and

(ii) Previously incurred medical expenses not subject to third-party payment and which are the current liability of the client.

(d) The department shall determine a client eligible for nursing facility care when the client's countable income and the amount of resources in excess of the amount in WAC 388-513-1310 are less than the department's contracted rate plus verifiable recurring medical expenses.  These clients shall:

(i) Participate in the cost of nursing facility care per WAC 388-513-1380 for post-eligibility allocation of income and post-eligibility allocation of resources; and

(ii) Be certified for a three-, six-, or twelve-month period as described under chapters 388-416 and 388-519 WAC.

(e) The department shall determine a client eligible for nursing facility care when the client's countable income and the amount of resources in excess of the amount in WAC 388-513-1310 are:

(i) Less than the private nursing facility rate plus recurring medical expenses; but

(ii) More than the department's contracted rate.

(f) The client shall:

(i) Participate in the cost of nursing facility care.  See WAC 388-513-1380 for post-eligibility allocation of income;

(ii) Spenddown all income remaining after allocating income to the department's contracted rate to be eligible for nonnursing facility medical care.  The department shall only certify medical assistance for noninstitutional eligibility after spenddown has been met; and

(iii) Choose a certification period of three or six months for nursing facility care.  The department shall determine spenddown of a person's nonnursing facility medical expenses be on a three-month or six-month basis.

(g) For the effect of a social absence from an institutional living arrangement, see WAC 388-97-280.

(h) The department shall not change a client's institutional status when the client is transferred between institutions.

(2) The department shall use other SSI financial criteria for consideration of resources as defined in WAC 388-513-1310 and 388-513-1360)) This section describes how the department determines a client's eligibility for institutional or hospice services and for facility care only under the MN program. In addition, this section describes rules used by the department to determine whether a client approved for these benefits is also eligible for noninstitutional medical assistance under the MN program.

(1) To be eligible for institutional or hospice services under the MN program, a client must meet the financial requirements described in subsection (5)(a). In addition, a client must meet program requirements described in WAC 388-513-1315; and

(a) Be an SSI-related client with nonexcluded income as described in subsection (4)(a) that is more than the special income level (SIL); or

(b) Be a child not described in subsection (1)(a) with nonexcluded income as described in subsection (4)(b) that exceeds the categorically needy (CN) standard for the children’s medical program.

(2) The department allows a client to have nonexcluded resources in excess of the standard described in WAC 388-513-1350(1) during the month of either an application or eligibility review if, when excess resources are added to nonexcluded income, the combined total is less than the:

(a) Private facility rate plus the amount of recurring medical expenses, for institutional services; or

(b) Private hospice rate plus the amount of recurring medical expenses, for hospice services received at home.

(3) The department determines a client's nonexcluded resources for institutional and hospice services under the MN program in the following way:

(a) For an SSI-related client, the department reduces available resources described in WAC 388-513-1350 by excluding resources described in WAC 388-513-1360;

(b) For a child not described in subsection (3)(a), no determination of resource eligibility is required.

(4) The department determines a client's nonexcluded income for institutional and hospice services under the MN program in the following way:

(a) For an SSI-related client, the department reduces available income by:

(i) Excluding income described in WAC 388-513-1340;

(ii) Disregarding income described in WAC 388-513-1345; and

(iii) Subtracting previously incurred medical expenses that:

(A) Are not subject to third-party payment;

(B) Have not been used to satisfy a previous spenddown liability; and

(C) Are amounts for which the client remains liable.

(b) For a child not described in subsection (4)(a), the department:

(i) Follows the income rules described in WAC 388-505-0210 for the children’s medical program; and

(ii) Subtracts the medical expenses described in subsection (4)(a)(iii).

(5) If the combined total of a client's nonexcluded income, which when added to nonexcluded resources in excess of the standard described in WAC 388-513-1350(1), is:

(a) Less than the department-contracted rate plus the amount of recurring medical expenses, the client:

(i) Is eligible for institutional and hospice services and noninstitutional medical assistance;

(ii) Is approved for a choice of three or six months as described in chapter 388-416 WAC; and

(iii) Participates in the cost of care as described in WAC 388-513-1380;

(b) Less than the private facility rate plus the amount of recurring medical expenses, but more than the department-contracted rate, the client:

(i) Is eligible for facility care only that is approved for a choice of three or six months as described in chapter 388-416 WAC;

(ii) Participates in the cost of care as described in WAC 388-513-1380; and

(iii) Is approved for noninstitutional medical assistance for a choice of three or six months as described in chapters 388-416 and 388-519 WAC, if income and resources remaining after allocations described in WAC 388-513-1380 are used to satisfy any spenddown liability.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.500.  99-06-045, § 388-513-1395, filed 2/26/99, effective 3/29/99.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and Budget Note 17.  96-16-092, § 388-513-1395, filed 8/7/96, effective 8/29/96.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 1995 2nd sp.s. c 18 §§ 2095a and 5b.  95-24-017 (Order 3921, #100267), § 388-513-1395, filed 11/22/95, effective 1/1/96.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.  94-10-065 (Order 3732), § 388-513-1395, filed 5/3/94, effective 6/3/94.  Formerly WAC 388-95-400.]

(((1) The department shall find an otherwise eligible client, residing in a nursing facility operated by a fraternal, religious, or benevolent organization:

(a) Eligible for medical care when the:

(i) Facility is licensed as a nursing facility; and

(ii) Contract between the client and the nursing facility excludes free or prepaid institutional and/or medical care for life; or

(iii) Nursing facility is unable to fulfill the terms of the contract and has:

(A) Voided the contract; and

(B) Refunded to the client any existing assets of the client;

(b) Ineligible for institutional and/or medical care when a contract between the client and the facility includes free or prepaid institutional and/or medical care for life.

(2) The department shall consider available to the client all assets of a fraternal, religious, or benevolent organization when the client:

(a) Signs a contract with the organization that includes free or prepaid institutional and/or medical care for the life of the client; and

(b) Surrenders income and/or resources to the organization in exchange for such care)) This section describes how the department determines eligibility for institutional services and noninstitutional medical assistance for a client living in a fraternal, religious, or benevolent nursing facility.

(1) For a client living in a licensed nursing facility operated by a fraternal, religious, or benevolent organization who meets all other eligibility requirements, the department approves institutional services and noninstitutional medical assistance, if:

(a) Any contract between the client and the facility excludes such benefits on a free or prepaid basis for life; or

(b) The facility is unable to fulfill the terms of the contract and has:

(i) Voided the contract; and

(ii) Refunded any of the client’s existing assets to the client.

(2) For a client described in subsection (1), the department denies institutional services and noninstitutional medical assistance, if the client:

(a) Signs a contract with the organization that includes such benefits on a free or prepaid basis for life; and

(b) Surrenders income and/or resources to the organization in exchange for such benefits.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.  94-10-065 (Order 3732), § 388-513-1396, filed 5/3/94, effective 6/3/94.  Formerly WAC 388-95-310.]

     The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:

WAC 388-513-1300	Applicability of alternate living and institutional rules.
WAC 388-513-1310	Resource standard--Institutional.

2522.8
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-06-045, filed 2/26/99, effective 3/29/99)

WAC 388-515-1510
Community alternatives program (CAP) and outward bound residential alternatives (OBRA).

(((1) The department shall determine an eligible person for CAP is a person:

(a) Meeting the requirements and eligible for division of developmental disabilities (DDD) services and disabled according to SSI rules;

(b) Meeting the categorically needy eligibility requirements for an SSI-related institutionalized person.  For the purposes of CAP and OBRA, a person is considered institutionalized as of the date all eligibility criteria, except institutionalized status is met;

(c) The department assesses as requiring the level of care provided in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded (IMR);

(d) For whom the department approves an individual plan of care describing the provided community support services; and

(e) Able and choosing to reside in the community with community support services according to the plan of care.

(2) The department shall determine an eligible person for the OBRA home-based and community-based services program is a person:

(a) Meeting the CAP eligibility standards in WAC 388-515-1510(1); and

(b) Residing in a Medicaid nursing facility at the time of application for OBRA services.

(3) The department shall not require participation in the cost of CAP or OBRA services by a person:

(a) Receiving SSI; or

(b) Remaining eligible for SSI under 1619(b) of the Social Security Act, but not receiving a cash grant.

(4) The department shall allocate available total income, including amounts disregarded in determining eligibility, of a SSI-related CAP or OBRA client as follows:

(a) For a client living in the client's residence, including a client receiving intensive tenant support services, the department shall use an amount equal to a maximum of three hundred percent of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate for one person for the client's maintenance needs;

(b) For a client residing in a state-contracted or state-operated group home, adult family home, or congregate care facility, the department shall use the following amounts for the client's maintenance needs:

(i) A specified personal needs allowance, as described under WAC 388-478-0045;

(ii) An amount equal to the monthly room and board cost for the facility where the client resides;

(iii) The first twenty dollars per month of earned or unearned income; and

(iv) The first sixty-five dollars plus one-half of the remaining earned income not previously excluded.

(c) For a client described in (b) of this subsection, the maximum amount allowed for any client's individual maintenance needs shall not exceed three hundred percent of the SSI Federal Benefit Rate.  The department shall not allow a client an individual maintenance needs deduction of less than the SSI payment standard;

(d) For a client with a spouse at home who is not receiving CAP or OBRA services, the department shall allocate an amount for the spouse's maintenance needs as computed under WAC 388-513-1380 (3)(b);

(e) For a client with a dependent relative living with the spouse not receiving CAP or OBRA services, the department shall designate an amount for the relative's maintenance needs as computed in WAC 388-513-1380 (3)(c);

(f) The department shall use amounts for incurred medical expenses not subject to third-party payment, including:

(i) Medicare and other health insurance premiums, deductibles, or coinsurance charges; and

(ii) Necessary medical care recognized under state law but not covered under Medicaid.

(g) The department shall ensure income remaining after deductions in (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of this subsection will be the participation amount for CAP or OBRA services)) This section describes the eligibility requirements for waivered services under the CAP and OBRA programs and the rules used to determine a client's participation in the cost of care.

(1) The department establishes eligibility for CAP and OBRA services for a client who:

(a) Is both Medicaid eligible under the categorically needy (CN) program and meets the requirements for services provided by the division of developmental disabilities (DDD);

(b) Has attained institutional status as described in WAC 388-513-1320;

(c) Has been assessed as requiring the level of care provided in an intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded (IMR);

(d) Has a department-approved plan of care that includes support services to be provided in the community;

(e) Is able to reside in the community according to the plan of care and chooses to do so;

(f) Meets the income and resource requirements described in subsection (2); and

(g) For the OBRA program only, the client must be a medical facility resident at the time of application.

(2) The department allows a client to have nonexcluded resources in excess of the standard described in WAC 388-513-1350(1) during the month of either an application or eligibility review if, when excess resources are added to nonexcluded income, the combined total does not exceed the special income level (SIL). Refer to WAC 388-513-1315 for rules used to determine nonexcluded income and resources. During other months, financial requirements include the following:

(a) Nonexcluded income must be at or below the SIL; and

(b) Nonexcluded resources must be at or below the resource standard.

(3) A client who is eligible for supplemental security income (SSI) does not participate in the cost of care for CAP or OBRA services.

(4) An SSI-related client retains a maintenance needs amount of up to the SIL, who is:

(a) Living at home; or

(b) Living in an alternate living facility described in WAC 388-513-1305(1).

(5) A client described in subsection (4)(b) retains the greater of:

(a) The SSI grant standard; or

(b) An amount equal to a total of the following:

(i) A personal needs allowance (PNA) of:

(A) Thirty-eight dollars and eighty-four cents; or

(B) Ninety dollars, if the client is a veteran or veteran’s surviving spouse who has no dependents and receives an improved pension; plus

(ii) The facility's monthly rate for board and room, which the client pays to the facility; plus

(iii) The first twenty dollars of monthly earned or unearned income; and

(iv) The first sixty-five dollars plus one-half of the remaining earned income not previously excluded.

(6) If a client has a spouse in the home who is not receiving CAP or OBRA services, the department allocates the client's income in excess of the amounts described in subsections (4) and (5) as an additional maintenance needs amount in the following order:

(a) One for the spouse, as described in WAC 388-513-1380 (2)(c); and

(b) One for any other dependent family member in the home, as described in WAC 388-513-1380 (2)(d).

(7) A client's participation in the cost of care for CAP or OBRA services is the client's income:

(a) That exceeds the amounts described in subsections (4), (5), and (6); and

(b) Remains after deductions for medical expenses not subject to third-party payment for which the client remains liable, included in the following:

(i) Medicare and other health insurance premiums, deductibles, or coinsurance charges; and

(ii) Necessary medical care recognized under state law but not covered by Medicaid.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.500.  99-06-045, § 388-515-1510, filed 2/26/99, effective 3/29/99.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.  94-10-065 (Order 3732), § 388-515-1510, filed 5/3/94, effective 6/3/94.  Formerly WAC 388-83-210.]

(((1) The department shall determine that a person is eligible for CASA if the person:

(a) Meets the categorically needy eligibility requirements for an SSI-related institutionalized person.  For the purposes of CASA, the department shall consider a person institutionalized the date the person meets eligibility criteria, except institutionalized status;

(b) Has a diagnosis of:

(i) Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or disabling Class IV human immunodeficiency virus disease; or

(ii) P2 HIV/AIDS diagnosis, if fourteen years of age or under.

(c) Is determined medically at risk of need for the level of hospital-provided care;

(d) Is certified by the person's physician or nurse practitioner as in the terminal state of life;

(e) Agrees to receive services in the person's own home, a licensed congregate care facility, or adult family home;

(f) Has a plan of care approved by the department and the department of health; and

(g) Does not have private insurance, including COBRA extensions, that covers inpatient hospital care.

(2) The department shall not require participation in the cost of CASA services by a person:

(a) Receiving SSI; or

(b) Remaining eligible for SSI under 1619(b) of the Social Security Act, but not receiving a cash grant.

(3) The department shall allocate available total income, including amounts disregarded in determining eligibility of a SSI-related CASA client residing at home, as follows:

(a) The client retains as maintenance needs an amount equal to the special income level (SIL) for one person; and

(b) As described under WAC 388-513-1380 (1), (2), (3)(b), (c) and (d), (4), and (5).

(4) The department shall allocate available total income, including amounts disregarded in determining eligibility of a CASA client residing in an adult family home or congregate care facility, as follows:

(a) The client shall retain a specified personal needs allowance as described under WAC 388-478-0045;

(b) As described under WAC 388-513-1380 (1), (2), (3)(b), (c) and (d), (4), (5), and (6); and

(c) Pay remaining income up to the SIL to the facility for the cost of board and room.

(5) The SSI-related CASA client's income remaining after deductions in subsection (3) or (4) of this section shall be the participation amount for CASA services.

(6) When the department has determined that the client has financial participation under subsection (5) of this section, the department shall require the client to meet the participation obligation to remain eligible)) This section describes the eligibility requirements for waivered services under the CASA program and the rules used to determine a client's participation in the cost of care.

(1) The department establishes eligibility for CASA services for a client who:

(a) Meets the disability criteria of the supplemental security income (SSI) program as described in WAC 388-503-0510(1);

(b) Has attained institutional status as described in WAC 388-513-1320;

(c) Has been diagnosed with:

(i) Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or disabling Class IV human immunodeficiency virus disease; or

(ii) P2 HIV/AIDS, if fourteen years old or younger;

(d) Has been certified by the client's physician or nurse practitioner to be in the terminal state of life;

(e) Has been assessed as being medically at risk for needing inpatient care;

(f) Has a plan of care approved by the department and the department of health (DOH);

(g) Does not have private insurance, including a COBRA extension, that covers inpatient hospital care;

(h) Is able to live at home or in an alternate living facility (ALF) described in WAC 388-513-1305(1) and chooses to do so; and

(i) Meets the income and resource requirements described in subsection (2).

(2) The department allows a client to have nonexcluded resources in excess of the standard described in WAC 388-513-1350(1) during the month of either an application or an eligibility review if, when excess resources are added to nonexcluded income, the combined total does not exceed the special income level (SIL). Refer to WAC 388-513-1315 for rules used to determine nonexcluded income and resources. During other months, financial requirements include the following:

(a) Nonexcluded income must be at or below the SIL; and

(b) Nonexcluded resources must be at or below the resource standard.

(3) A client who is eligible for SSI does not participate in the cost of care for CASA services.

(4) An SSI-related client retains a maintenance needs amount, if:

(a) Living at home, of up to the SIL; or

(b) Living in an ALF described in WAC 388-513-1305(1), of thirty-eight dollars and eighty-four cents.

(5) The income of a client described in subsections (4)(a) or (b) that exceeds the maintenance needs amount is allocated as described in WAC 388-513-1380 (1), (2)(b) through (e), (3), and (4).

(6) The income of a client described in subsection (4)(b) that exceeds the maintenance needs amount and the amount described in subsection (5) is paid to the facility for the cost of board and room up to an amount that is equal to the difference between the:

(a) Amount of the SIL; and

(b) The combined total of amounts described in subsections (4)(b) and (5).

(7) A client's participation in the cost of care for CASA services is the amount of income that remains after allocations described in subsections (4), (5), and (6).

(8) The client must meet any participation obligation, in order to remain eligible.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.09.500.  99-06-045, § 388-515-1530, filed 2/26/99, effective 3/29/99.  Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090.  95-18-001 (Order 3882), § 388-515-1530, filed 8/23/95, effective 9/23/95; 94-10-065 (Order 3732), § 388-515-1530, filed 5/3/94, effective 6/3/94.  Formerly WAC 388-83-220.]

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