Chapter 49

49.455 History History: 1989 a. 31, 81; 1991 a. 39, 269; 1993 a. 16, 437; 1995 a. 27; 2005 a. 441; 2013 a. 20.

49.455 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DHS 103, Wis. adm. code.

49.455 Annotation An ineligible spouse’s individual retirement account is excluded in determining whether the applying spouse is eligible for medical assistance. Keip v. DHFS, 2000 WI App 13, 232 Wis. 2d 380, 606 N.W.2d 543, 99-0193.

49.455 Annotation Sub. (2) applies in determining eligibility for medical assistance and the required contribution to an institutionalized person’s care. Sub. (3) (a) declares that the income of a community spouse is not available to the institutionalized spouse when, with specific exceptions, a community spouse’s income is paid solely to the spouse. In general, s. 49.90 (1) (a) 1. obligates a spouse to support a dependent spouse who is unable to financially care for him or herself while residing in an institution but must give way to the more specific terms of this section. Chippewa County Department of Human Services v. Bush, 2007 WI App 184, 305 Wis. 2d 181, 738 N.W.2d 562, 05-1113.

49.455 Annotation Sub. (8) (d) does not conflict with federal law. Federal law does not require an institutionalized spouse’s income-producing assets to be shifted to the community spouse’s minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance before his or her income is shifted to the community spouse. DHFS v. Blumer, 534 U.S. 473, 122 S. Ct. 962, 151 L. Ed. 2d 935 (2002).

49.455 Annotation Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services v. Blumer: A “Case” Study in Pragmatism and the Expansion of Judicial Deference to Agency Interpretations. Kindstrand. 2002 WLR 1467.

49.455 Annotation Medical Assistance & Divestment. Canellos. Wis. Law. Aug. 1991.

49.46 49.46 Medical assistance; recipients of social security aids.

49.46(1) (1) Eligibility.

49.46(1)(a) (a) The following shall receive medical assistance under this section:

49.46(1)(a)1. 1. Notwithstanding s. 49.19 (20), any individual who, without regard to the individual’s resources, would qualify for a grant of aid to families with dependent children under s. 49.19.

49.46(1)(a)1g. 1g. Notwithstanding s. 49.19 (20), any individual who, without regard to the individual’s resources, would qualify for a grant of aid to families with dependent children but who would not receive the aid solely because of the application of s. 49.19 (11) (f).

49.46(1)(a)1m. 1m. Any pregnant woman whose income does not exceed the standard of need under s. 49.19 (11) and whose pregnancy is medically verified. Eligibility continues to the last day of the month in which the 60th day or, if approved by the federal government, the 90th day after the last day of the pregnancy falls.

49.46(1)(a)3. 3. Any essential person.

49.46(1)(a)4. 4. Any person receiving benefits under s. 49.77 or federal Title XVI.

49.46(1)(a)4m. 4m. Any child for whom a payment is made under s. 49.775.

49.46(1)(a)5. 5. Any child in an adoption assistance, foster care, or subsidized guardianship placement under ch. 48 or 938, as determined by the department.

49.46(1)(a)6. 6. Any person not described in pars. (c) to (e) who, without regard to the individual’s resources, would be considered, under federal law, to be receiving aid to families with dependent children for the purpose of determining eligibility for medical assistance.

49.46(1)(a)6m. 6m. Any person not described in pars. (c) to (e) who is considered, under federal law, to be receiving supplemental security income for the purpose of determining eligibility for medical assistance.

49.46(1)(a)9. 9. Any pregnant woman not described under subd. 1., 1g., or 1m. whose family income does not exceed 133 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the woman’s family.

49.46(1)(a)10. 10. Any child not described under subd. 1. or 1g. who is under 6 years of age and whose family income does not exceed 133 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the child’s family.

49.46(1)(a)11. 11. If a waiver under s. 49.665 is granted and in effect, any child not described under subd. 1. or 1g. who has attained the age of 6 but has not attained the age of 19 and whose family income does not exceed 100 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the child’s family. If a waiver under s. 49.665 is not granted or in effect, any child not described in subd. 1. or 1g. who was born after September 30,1983, who has attained the age of 6 but has not attained the age of 19 and whose family income does not exceed 100 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the child’s family.

49.46(1)(a)12. 12. Any child not described under subd. 1. or 1g. who is under 19 years of age and whose income does not exceed the standard of need under s. 49.19 (11).

49.46(1)(a)13. 13. Any child who is under one year of age, whose mother was determined to be eligible under subd. 9. and who lives with his or her mother.

49.46(1)(a)14. 14. Any person who would meet the financial and other eligibility requirements for home or community-based services under s. 46.277 or 46.2785 but for the fact that the person engages in substantial gainful activity under 42 USC 1382c (a) (3), if a waiver under s. 49.45 (38) is in effect or federal law permits federal financial participation for medical assistance coverage of the person and if funding is available for the person under s. 46.277 or 46.2785.

49.46(1)(a)14m. 14m. Any person who would meet the financial and other eligibility requirements for home or community-based services under the family care benefit but for the fact that the person engages in substantial gainful activity under 42 USC 1382c (a) (3), if a waiver under s. 46.281 (1d) is in effect or federal law permits federal financial participation for medical assistance coverage of the person and if funding is available for the person under the family care benefit.

49.46(1)(a)15. 15. Any individual who is infected with tuberculosis and meets the income and resource eligibility requirements for the federal Supplemental Security Income program under 42 USC 1381 to 1383d. For purposes of this subdivision, “income” has the meaning given for “family income” in s. 49.471 (1) (f).

49.46(1)(a)16. 16. Any child who is living with a relative who is eligible to receive payments under s. 48.57 (3m) or (3n) with respect to that child, if the department determines that no other insurance is available to the child.

49.46(1)(am) (am)

49.46(1)(am)1. 1. If the change requested under subd. 2. in the approved state plan for services under 42 USC 1396 is approved by the federal department of health and human services, the department shall disregard income from the following individuals, in an amount sufficient for the individual to become eligible for medical assistance under this section:

49.46(1)(am)1.a. a. A pregnant woman whose family income, before any income is disregarded under this paragraph, does not exceed, in state fiscal year 1994-95, 155 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the woman’s family; and, in each state fiscal year after the 1994-95 state fiscal year, 185 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the woman’s family.

49.46(1)(am)1.b. b. A child who is under 6 years of age and whose family income, before any income is disregarded under this paragraph, does not exceed, in state fiscal year 1994-95, 155 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the child’s family; and, in each state fiscal year after the 1994-95 state fiscal year, 185 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the child’s family.

49.46(1)(am)1.c. c. A child who is under one year of age, whose mother was determined to be eligible under subd. 1. a. and who lives with his or her mother.

49.46(1)(am)2. 2. The department shall request a change in the approved state plan for services under 42 USC 1396 to allow, pursuant to the authority granted under 42 USC 1396a (r) (2), the use of federal matching funds to provide medical assistance coverage to individuals under subd. 1., beginning on July 1, 1994.

49.46(1)(b) (b) Any person shall be considered a recipient of aid for 3 months prior to the month of application if the proper agency determines eligibility existed during such prior month.

49.46(1)(c) (c) Except as provided under par. (cr), a family that becomes ineligible for aid to families with dependent children under s. 49.19 because of increased income from employment or increased hours of employment shall receive medical assistance for 4 calendar months, or, if required under federal law, up to 12 months, following the month in which a parent, caretaker, or dependent child of the family becomes ineligible for aid to families with dependent children if all of the following apply:

49.46(1)(c)1g. 1g. The family is eligible for aid to families with dependent children for at least 3 of the 6 months immediately preceding the month in which the family becomes ineligible.

49.46(1)(c)1r. 1r. The family continues to include a child who is, or would be if needy, a dependent child under s. 49.19.

49.46(1)(cg) (cg) Except as provided under par. (cr), medical assistance shall be provided to a dependent child, a relative with whom the child is living or the spouse of the relative, if the spouse meets the requirements of s. 49.19 (1) (c) 2. a. or b., for 4 calendar months beginning with the month in which the child, relative or spouse is ineligible for aid to families with dependent children because of the collection or increased collection of maintenance or support, if the child, relative or spouse received aid to families with dependent children in 3 or more of the 6 months immediately preceding the month in which that ineligibility begins.

49.46(1)(cr) (cr) To the extent approved by the federal department of health and human services, an individual or family described in par. (c) or (cg) is not eligible for Medical Assistance if the federal department of health and human services approves a request from the department to deny all or some transitional Medical Assistance benefits to that individual or family, if approval is required. The department shall allow individuals who are receiving transitional Medical Assistance benefits on December 31, 2013, to continue to receive those benefits until their 12-month period ends, if required under federal law. If the federal department of health and human services approves the department’s request to charge a premium to recipients of continued transitional Medical Assistance benefits, the department may charge a premium to any recipient of continued transitional Medical Assistance benefits whose income exceeds 100 percent of the poverty line.

49.46(1)(d) (d) For the purposes of this section:

49.46(1)(d)1. 1. Children who are placed in licensed foster homes by the department and who would be eligible for payment of aid to families with dependent children in foster homes except that their placement is not made by a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23 will be considered as recipients of aid to families with dependent children.

49.46(1)(d)2. 2. Any accommodated person or any patient in a public medical institution shall be considered a recipient for purposes of this section if such person or patient would have inadequate means to meet his or her need for care and services if living in his or her usual living arrangement.

49.46(1)(d)3. 3. Any child adopted under s. 48.48 (12) shall be considered a recipient for any medical condition which exists at the time of the adoption or develops subsequent to the adoption.

49.46(1)(d)4. 4. A child who meets the conditions under 42 USC 1396a (e) (3) shall be considered a recipient of benefits under s. 49.77 or federal Title XVI.

49.46(1)(e) (e) If an application under s. 49.47 (3) shows that the individual meets the income limits under s. 49.19 or meets the income and resource requirements under federal Title XVI or s. 49.77, or that the individual is an essential person, an accommodated person, or a patient in a public medical institution, the individual shall be granted the benefits enumerated under sub. (2) whether or not the individual requests or receives a grant of any of such aids.

49.46(1)(em) (em) To the extent approved by the federal government, for the purposes of determining financial eligibility and any cost-sharing requirements of an individual under par. (a) 6m., 14., or 14m., (d) 2., or (e), the department or its designee shall exclude any assets accumulated in a person’s independence account, as defined in s. 49.472 (1) (c), and any income or assets from retirement benefits earned or accumulated from income or employer contributions while employed and receiving medical assistance under s. 49.472.

49.46(1)(j) (j) An individual determined to be eligible for benefits under par. (a) 9. remains eligible for benefits under par. (a) 9. for the balance of the pregnancy and to the last day of the month in which the 60th day or, if approved by the federal government, the 90th day after the last day of the pregnancy falls without regard to any change in the individual’s family income.

49.46(1)(k) (k)

49.46(1)(k)1. 1. If a child eligible for benefits under par. (a) 10. is receiving inpatient services covered under sub. (2) on the day before the birthday on which the child attains the age of 6 and, but for attaining that age, the child would remain eligible for benefits under par. (a) 10., the child remains eligible for benefits until the end of the stay for which the inpatient services are furnished.

49.46(1)(k)2. 2. If a child eligible for benefits under par. (a) 11. is receiving inpatient services covered under sub. (2) on the day before the birthday on which the child attains the age of 19 and, but for attaining that age, the child would remain eligible for benefits under par. (a) 11., the child remains eligible for benefits until the end of the stay for which the inpatient services are furnished.

49.46(1)(L) (L) For the purposes of par. (a) 9. to 12., “income” includes income that would be used in determining eligibility for aid to families with dependent children under s. 49.19, except to the extent that that determination is inconsistent with 42 USC 1396a (a) 17., and excludes income that would be excluded in determining eligibility for aid to families with dependent children under s. 49.19. For the purposes of par. (am), “income” shall be determined in accordance with the approved state plan for services under 42 USC 1396.

49.46(1)(m) (m)

49.46(1)(m)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., any individual who is otherwise eligible under this subsection and who is eligible for enrollment in a group health plan shall, as a condition of eligibility for medical assistance and if the department determines it is cost-effective to do so, apply for enrollment in the group health plan, except that, for a minor, the parent of the minor shall apply on the minor’s behalf.

49.46(1)(m)2. 2. If a parent of a minor fails to enroll the minor in a group health plan in accordance with subd. 1., the failure does not affect the minor’s eligibility under this subsection.

49.46(1m) (1m) Pilot project for working recipients of supplemental security income or social security disability income. The department shall request that the secretary of the federal department of health and human services and the commissioner of the federal social security administration waive the income and asset requirements for recipients of benefits under federal Title II or XVI to allow the department to conduct a pilot project to allow those recipients to work without losing eligibility for benefits under federal Title II or XVI or for medical assistance or medicare, as defined in s. 49.45 (3) (L) 1. b. If the request is approved, the department may implement the program and may require participants in the program to pay, on a sliding scale, a copayment for the cost of the program.

49.46(1p) (1p) Demonstration project for persons with HIV. The department shall request a waiver from the secretary of the federal department of health and human services to allow the department to provide under this section coverage of services specified under sub. (2) for persons who have HIV infection, as defined in s. 252.01 (2). If a waiver is granted and in effect, the department shall provide coverage for the services specified under sub. (2) for persons who qualify under the terms of the waiver.

49.46(2) (2) Benefits.

49.46(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (be), the department shall audit and pay allowable charges to certified providers for medical assistance on behalf of recipients for the following federally mandated benefits:

49.46(2)(a)1. 1. Physicians’ services, excluding services provided under par. (b) 6. f.

49.46(2)(a)2. 2. Early and periodic screening and diagnosis, including case management services, of persons under 21 years of age and all medical treatment and dentists’ services found necessary by this screening and diagnosis.

49.46(2)(a)3. 3. Rural health clinic services.

49.46(2)(a)4. 4. The following medical services if prescribed or ordered by a provider acting within the scope of the provider’s practice under statutes, rules, or regulations that govern the provider’s practice:

49.46(2)(a)4.a. a. Inpatient hospital services other than services in an institution for mental diseases, including psychiatric and alcohol or other drug abuse treatment services.

49.46(2)(a)4.b. b. Services specified in this paragraph, provided by any hospital on an outpatient basis.

49.46(2)(a)4.c. c. Skilled nursing home services other than in an institution for mental diseases, except as limited under s. 49.45 (6c) and (30m) (b) and (c).

49.46(2)(a)4.d. d. Home health services, subject to the limitation under s. 49.45 (8), or, if a home health agency is unavailable, nursing services.

49.46(2)(a)4.e. e. Laboratory and X-ray services.

49.46(2)(a)4.f. f. Services and supplies for family planning, as defined in s. 253.07 (1) (a).

49.46(2)(a)4m. 4m. Nurse-midwifery services.

49.46(2)(a)6. 6. Premiums, deductibles and coinsurance and other cost-sharing obligations for items and services otherwise paid under this subsection that are required for enrollment in a group health plan, as specified in sub. (1) (m), except that, if enrollment in the group health plan requires enrollment of family members who are not eligible under this subsection, the department shall pay, if it is cost-effective, for an ineligible family member only the premium that is required for enrollment in the group health plan.

49.46(2)(b) (b) Except as provided in pars. (be) and (dc), the department shall audit and pay allowable charges to certified providers for medical assistance on behalf of recipients for the following services:

49.46(2)(b)1. 1. Dentists’ services, limited to basic services within each of the following categories:

49.46(2)(b)1.a. a. Diagnostic services.

49.46(2)(b)1.b. b. Preventive services.

49.46(2)(b)1.c. c. Restorative services.

49.46(2)(b)1.d. d. Endodontic services.

49.46(2)(b)1.e. e. Periodontic services.

49.46(2)(b)1.f. f. Oral and maxillofacial surgery services.

49.46(2)(b)1.g. g. Emergency treatment of dental pain.

49.46(2)(b)1.hm. hm. Removable prosthodontic services.

49.46(2)(b)1.im. im. Fixed prosthodontic services.

49.46(2)(b)2. 2. Optometrists’ or opticians’ services.

49.46(2)(b)3. 3. Transportation by emergency medical vehicle to obtain emergency medical care, transportation by specialized medical vehicle to obtain medical care including the unloaded travel of the specialized medical vehicle necessary to provide that transportation, or transportation by common carrier or private motor vehicle to obtain medical care.

49.46(2)(b)4. 4. Chiropractors’ services.

49.46(2)(b)5. 5. Eyeglasses.

49.46(2)(b)6. 6. The following services that, other than under subd. 6. f., fm., k., and Lr., are prescribed or ordered by a provider acting within the scope of the provider’s practice under statutes, rules, or regulations that govern the provider’s practice:

49.46(2)(b)6.a. a. Intermediate care facility services other than in an institution for mental diseases, except as limited under s. 49.45 (30m) (b) and (c).

49.46(2)(b)6.b. b. Physical and occupational therapy.