MassHealth Increases Community Spouse Income Floor

MassHealth has announced the annual adjustment in the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance (MMMNA) for a community spouse from $1,750 to $1,821.25 per month. This is the income floor for the spouse of a MassHealth-covered nursing home residence. The figure may be higher based on his spouse's housing costs. Based in this figure and the health spouses own income, she may be entitled a share of the nursing home spouses' income each month. For instance, if a community spouse's MMMNA is calculated under MassHealth's formula to be $1,900, but her income is $1,000 a month, she is entitled to $900 a month of the nursing home spouse's income. The balance of the nursing home spouse's income (less a small personal needs allowance) must go to the nursing home.

The maximum monthly maintenance needs allowance, or income cap, is currently $2,739. Thus, no matter the community spouse's actual housing costs, her MMMNA cannot be less than $1,821.25 nor more than $2,739 without an appeal.

-Above from: “ MassHealth Increases the Minimum MMNA for a Community Spouse” News from Margolis & Bloom, LLP - March 9, 2009 and “MassHealth Also Has Increased Maximum MMNA for a Community Spouse” News from Margolis & Bloo m, LLP - March 11, 2009.

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