602-4 D.     MEDICAL DEDUCTION

Medical expenses in excess of $35 per month incurred by the household can be deducted for household members considered Special Category (SPECATSpecial Category Household/Individual) individuals as defined at MS 600-2.  Spouses or other persons receiving SNAP as a dependent of the Special Category household member are not eligible for a medical deduction unless they are also considered a Special Category individual.  

Note:   

Enter the full amount of the monthly medical expense on EISEligibility Information System.  EIS will deduct the $35 and allow the balance as a medical deduction in the SNAP budget.

1. Allowable Medical Expenses

1. Medical and dental care.
   
2. Hospitalization, outpatient treatment, and nursing care, including payments by the household for persons who were household members immediately prior to entering the facility.
   
3. Prescription costs, including out-of-pocket costs, prescription plan premiums and per prescription co-payments, and over-the-counter drug costs when prescribed by a licensed practitioner.
   
4. Health and hospital insurance premiums, including Medicare and Medicare Part D premiums.  However, premiums for insurance policies that pay lump-sum settlements for death or dismemberment, or income maintenance policies that make mortgage or loan payments during disability are not allowed.
   
5. Dentures, hearing aids, prosthetics.
   
6. Cost of securing and maintaining a service animal including the cost of food and veterinarian bills.

Note:

A pet or companion animal that a client already has when prescribed a service animal does not automatically become a service animal - the animal must have specialized training to assist the individual with a medical issue for which the animal is prescribed. Specific types of training, credentials, or certifications are not required, but the animal must be specially training to perform a function that the elderly or disabled person cannot readily perform on their own.

7. Prescription eyeglasses.
   
8. Reasonable costs of transportation and lodging to obtain medical treatment.  If the household uses its own vehicle, allow the business mileage rate permitted by the Internal Revenue Service. Refer to the IRS Standard Mileage Rates for current standard mileage rates. The household must provide reasonable documentation of their medical-related mileage.
   
9. Attendant care costs necessary due to age, illness, or disability.  In addition, an amount equal to the maximum SNAP allotment for one person will be deducted if the household furnishes the majority of the attendant's meals.  If attendant care costs qualify both as a medical and dependent care deduction, treat as a medical expense.
   
10. Costs of medical supplies, sick room equipment (including rental) or other prescribed equipment.

Note:

For an expense to be a deduction, it must be prescribed by a State-licensed or qualified practitioner. That is, if a practitioner is State-licensed or qualified, he or she has the expertise to prescribe whatever is medically necessary to treat the patient, and any medication, medical supplies, or equipment prescribed by the practitioner are a deductible for SNAP purposes.

2. Medical Expenses not Allowed

Expenses not allowable are the cost of a special diet,  medical marijuana, medical expenses covered by vendor payments, and medical expenses covered by reimbursements.

Note:

Medicare recipients eligible for Medicare Buy-In will not be eligible for a medical deduction of the Medicare Part B premium expenses while waiting for Medicare Buy-In to take effect.  This is considered a medical expense covered by reimbursements.

Note:  

If any portion of a medical expense will be reimbursed or paid by a vendor, no deduction is allowed until verification of the vendor payment or reimbursement is provided.  Any remaining expense is allowed.

3. Verification of Allowable Medical Expenses

Medical expenses incurred by the household member must be verified at application and recertification.  Acceptable verification includes, but is not limited to, current medical bills, statements from the medical provider, receipts, and insurance statements.  

4. Budgeting Medical Expenses

The household's monthly medical deduction is based on the information reported and verified by the household, and any anticipated changes in the household's medical expenses that can be reasonably expected to occur during the certification period.  

Households may estimate medical expenses they expect during the certification period.  These estimates must be based upon available information about the member's medical condition, public or private insurance coverage, and the person's current verified medical expenses.  Unpaid and past due medical bills are considered when determining the amount of the household's monthly medical deduction.  

One-time medical expenses may be averaged over the remaining months of the certification period.  For households certified for more than 12 months, medical expenses incurred in the first 12 months will be averaged over the months remaining in that 12-month period.  Expenses incurred following the first 12 months will be averaged over the months remaining in that period.

When the household reports medical expenses that come due during the certification period, use the information in determining the household's monthly medical deduction for the remainder of its certification period.  The household is not required to report or verify any changes in medical expenses during the certification period.

The household may report at recertification the medical expenses that occurred during the prior certification and have these expenses considered in determining its monthly medical deduction for the new certification period.