On June 1, 2014, Indiana will change the way Indiana residents obtain Medicaid coverage in the age, blind or disabled categories. Currently, when Indiana residents apply for Medicaid coverage, they are subject to state-specific restrictive criteria. After June 1, 2014, Indiana residents will automatically be enrolled in Medicaid if the Federal Social Security Administration determines they are eligible for Supplemental Security Income. This transition will eliminate Indiana’s Medicaid Spend Down Program.
The State of Indiana’s Medicaid office published a final rule with changes to Indiana’s Administrative Code 405 IAC 2 that detail the new eligibility rules and rules on Qualified Income Trusts, also known as Miller Trusts.
Some Indiana residents who are applying for institutional or nursing home Medicaid or for home- and community-based services and have an income that is greater than the Medicaid eligibility limit will not be eligible unless their income, either part of their income or all of their income, goes into a Qualified Income Trust (a “QIT” or a “Miller Trust”), so the income can be disregarded for the Medicaid eligibility determination.
Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration has a list of frequently asked questions and other resources available on its website.
Should you have any questions, please contact Sean Fahey at 317.977.1472 or sfahey@wp.hallrender.com or your regular Hall Render attorney.
