42 U.S.C. § 1396r–5 | Treatment of income and resources for certain institutionalized spouses

(a)

Special treatment for institutionalized spouses

(1)

Supersedes other provisions

In determining the eligibility for medical assistance of an institutionalized spouse (as defined in subsection (h)(1)), the provisions of this section supersede any other provision of this subchapter (including sections 1396a(a)(17) and 1396a(f) of this title) which is inconsistent with them.

(2)

No comparable treatment required

section 1396a(a) of this titleAny different treatment provided under this section for institutionalized spouses shall not, by reason of paragraph (10) or (17) of , require such treatment for other individuals.

(3)

Does not affect certain determinations

Except as this section specifically provides, this section does not apply to—

(A)

the determination of what constitutes income or resources, or

(B)

the methodology and standards for determining and evaluating income and resources.

(4)

Application in certain States and territories

(A)

Application in States operating under demonstration projects

section 1315 of this titleIn the case of any State which is providing medical assistance to its residents under a waiver granted under , the Secretary shall require the State to meet the requirements of this section in the same manner as the State would be required to meet such requirement if the State had in effect a plan approved under this subchapter.

(B)

No application in commonwealths and territories

This section shall only apply to a State that is one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia.

(5)

Application to individuals receiving services under PACE programs

section 1396u–4(a)(7) of this titleThis section applies to individuals receiving institutional or noninstitutional services under a PACE demonstration waiver program (as defined in ) or under a PACE program under section 1396u–4 or 1395eee of this title.

(b)

Rules for treatment of income

(1)

Separate treatment of income

During any month in which an institutionalized spouse is in the institution, except as provided in paragraph (2), no income of the community spouse shall be deemed available to the institutionalized spouse.

(2)

Attribution of income

In determining the income of an institutionalized spouse or community spouse for purposes of the post-eligibility income determination described in subsection (d), except as otherwise provided in this section and regardless of any State laws relating to community property or the division of marital property, the following rules apply:

(A)

Non-trust property

Subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), in the case of income not from a trust, unless the instrument providing the income otherwise specifically provides—

(i)

if payment of income is made solely in the name of the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse, the income shall be considered available only to that respective spouse;

(ii)

if payment of income is made in the names of the institutionalized spouse and the community spouse, one-half of the income shall be considered available to each of them; and

(iii)

if payment of income is made in the names of the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse, or both, and to another person or persons, the income shall be considered available to each spouse in proportion to the spouse’s interest (or, if payment is made with respect to both spouses and no such interest is specified, one-half of the joint interest shall be considered available to each spouse).

(B)

Trust property

In the case of a trust—

(i)

except as provided in clause (ii), income shall be attributed in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter (including sections 1396a(a)(17) and 1396p(d) of this title), and

(ii)

income shall be considered available to each spouse as provided in the trust, or, in the absence of a specific provision in the trust—

(I)

if payment of income is made solely to the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse, the income shall be considered available only to that respective spouse;

(II)

if payment of income is made to both the institutionalized spouse and the community spouse, one-half of the income shall be considered available to each of them; and

(III)

if payment of income is made to the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse, or both, and to another person or persons, the income shall be considered available to each spouse in proportion to the spouse’s interest (or, if payment is made with respect to both spouses and no such interest is specified, one-half of the joint interest shall be considered available to each spouse).

(C)

Property with no instrument

In the case of income not from a trust in which there is no instrument establishing ownership, subject to subparagraph (D), one-half of the income shall be considered to be available to the institutionalized spouse and one-half to the community spouse.

(D)

Rebutting ownership

The rules of subparagraphs (A) and (C) are superseded to the extent that an institutionalized spouse can establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the ownership interests in income are other than as provided under such subparagraphs.

(c)

Rules for treatment of resources

(1)

Computation of spousal share at time of institutionalization

(A)

Total joint resources

September 30, 1989There shall be computed (as of the beginning of the first continuous period of institutionalization (beginning on or after ) of the institutionalized spouse)—

(i)

the total value of the resources to the extent either the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse has an ownership interest, and

(ii)

a spousal share which is equal to ½ of such total value.

(B)

Assessment

September 30, 1989At the request of an institutionalized spouse or community spouse, at the beginning of the first continuous period of institutionalization (beginning on or after ) of the institutionalized spouse and upon the receipt of relevant documentation of resources, the State shall promptly assess and document the total value described in subparagraph (A)(i) and shall provide a copy of such assessment and documentation to each spouse and shall retain a copy of the assessment for use under this section. If the request is not part of an application for medical assistance under this subchapter, the State may, at its option as a condition of providing the assessment, require payment of a fee not exceeding the reasonable expenses of providing and documenting the assessment. At the time of providing the copy of the assessment, the State shall include a notice indicating that the spouse will have a right to a fair hearing under subsection (e)(2).

(2)

Attribution of resources at time of initial eligibility determination

In determining the resources of an institutionalized spouse at the time of application for benefits under this subchapter, regardless of any State laws relating to community property or the division of marital property—

(A)

except as provided in subparagraph (B), all the resources held by either the institutionalized spouse, community spouse, or both, shall be considered to be available to the institutionalized spouse, and

(B)

resources shall be considered to be available to an institutionalized spouse, but only to the extent that the amount of such resources exceeds the amount computed under subsection (f)(2)(A) (as of the time of application for benefits).

(3)

Assignment of support rights

The institutionalized spouse shall not be ineligible by reason of resources determined under paragraph (2) to be available for the cost of care where—

(A)

the institutionalized spouse has assigned to the State any rights to support from the community spouse;

(B)

the institutionalized spouse lacks the ability to execute an assignment due to physical or mental impairment but the State has the right to bring a support proceeding against a community spouse without such assignment; or

(C)

the State determines that denial of eligibility would work an undue hardship.

(4)

Separate treatment of resources after eligibility for benefits established

During the continuous period in which an institutionalized spouse is in an institution and after the month in which an institutionalized spouse is determined to be eligible for benefits under this subchapter, no resources of the community spouse shall be deemed available to the institutionalized spouse.

(5)

Resources defined

In this section, the term “resources” does not include—

(A)

section 1382b of this title resources excluded under subsection (a) or (d) of , and

(B)

section 1382b(a)(2)(A) of this title resources that would be excluded under but for the limitation on total value described in such section.

(d)

Protecting income for community spouse

(1)

Allowances to be offset from income of institutionalized spouse

After an institutionalized spouse is determined or redetermined to be eligible for medical assistance, in determining the amount of the spouse’s income that is to be applied monthly to payment for the costs of care in the institution, there shall be deducted from the spouse’s monthly income the following amounts in the following order:

(A)

section 1396a(q)(1) of this title section 1396a(q)(2) of this title A personal needs allowance (described in ), in an amount not less than the amount specified in .

(B)

A community spouse monthly income allowance (as defined in paragraph (2)), but only to the extent income of the institutionalized spouse is made available to (or for the benefit of) the community spouse.

(C)

A family allowance, for each family member, equal to at least ⅓ of the amount by which the amount described in paragraph (3)(A)(i) exceeds the amount of the monthly income of that family member.

(D)

section 1396a(r) of this title Amounts for incurred expenses for medical or remedial care for the institutionalized spouse (as provided under ).

In subparagraph (C), the term “family member” only includes minor or dependent children, dependent parents, or dependent siblings of the institutionalized or community spouse who are residing with the community spouse.

(2)

Community spouse monthly income allowance defined

In this section (except as provided in paragraph (5)), the “community spouse monthly income allowance” for a community spouse is an amount by which—

(A)

except as provided in subsection (e), the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance (established under and in accordance with paragraph (3)) for the spouse, exceeds

(B)

the amount of monthly income otherwise available to the community spouse (determined without regard to such an allowance).

(3)

Establishment of minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance

(A)

In general

Each State shall establish a minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance for each community spouse which, subject to subparagraph (C), is equal to or exceeds—

(i)

¹₁₂section 9902(2) of this title the applicable percent (described in subparagraph (B)) of ⁄ of the income official poverty line (defined by the Office of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with ) for a family unit of 2 members; plus

(ii)

an excess shelter allowance (as defined in paragraph (4)).

A revision of the official poverty line referred to in clause (i) shall apply to medical assistance furnished during and after the second calendar quarter that begins after the date of publication of the revision.

(B)

Applicable percent

For purposes of subparagraph (A)(i), the “applicable percent” described in this paragraph, effective as of—

(i)

September 30, 1989 , is 122 percent,

(ii)

July 1, 1991 , is 133 percent, and

(iii)

July 1, 1992 , is 150 percent.

(C)

Cap on minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance

The minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance established under subparagraph (A) may not exceed $1,500 (subject to adjustment under subsections (e) and (g)).

(4)

Excess shelter allowance defined

In paragraph (3)(A)(ii), the term “excess shelter allowance” means, for a community spouse, the amount by which the sum of—

(A)

the spouse’s expenses for rent or mortgage payment (including principal and interest), taxes and insurance and, in the case of a condominium or cooperative, required maintenance charge, for the community spouse’s principal residence, and

(B)

section 2014(e) of title 7 the standard utility allowance (used by the State under ) or, if the State does not use such an allowance, the spouse’s actual utility expenses,

exceeds 30 percent of the amount described in paragraph (3)(A)(i), except that, in the case of a condominium or cooperative, for which a maintenance charge is included under subparagraph (A), any allowance under subparagraph (B) shall be reduced to the extent the maintenance charge includes utility expenses.

(5)

Court ordered support

If a court has entered an order against an institutionalized spouse for monthly income for the support of the community spouse, the community spouse monthly income allowance for the spouse shall be not less than the amount of the monthly income so ordered.

(6)

Application of “income first” rule to revision of community spouse resource allowance

For purposes of this subsection and subsections (c) and (e), a State must consider that all income of the institutionalized spouse that could be made available to a community spouse, in accordance with the calculation of the community spouse monthly income allowance under this subsection, has been made available before the State allocates to the community spouse an amount of resources adequate to provide the difference between the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance and all income available to the community spouse.

(e)

Notice and fair hearing

(1)

Notice

Upon—

(A)

a determination of eligibility for medical assistance of an institutionalized spouse, or

(B)

a request by either the institutionalized spouse, or the community spouse, or a representative acting on behalf of either spouse,

each State shall notify both spouses (in the case described in subparagraph (A)) or the spouse making the request (in the case described in subparagraph (B)) of the amount of the community spouse monthly income allowance (described in subsection (d)(1)(B)), of the amount of any family allowances (described in subsection (d)(1)(C)), of the method for computing the amount of the community spouse resources allowance permitted under subsection (f), and of the spouse’s right to a fair hearing under this subsection respecting ownership or availability of income or resources, and the determination of the community spouse monthly income or resource allowance.

(2)

Fair hearing

(A)

In general

If either the institutionalized spouse or the community spouse is dissatisfied with a determination of—

(i)

the community spouse monthly income allowance;

(ii)

the amount of monthly income otherwise available to the community spouse (as applied under subsection (d)(2)(B));

(iii)

the computation of the spousal share of resources under subsection (c)(1);

(iv)

the attribution of resources under subsection (c)(2); or

(v)

the determination of the community spouse resource allowance (as defined in subsection (f)(2));

section 1396a(a)(3) of this titlesuch spouse is entitled to a fair hearing described in with respect to such determination if an application for benefits under this subchapter has been made on behalf of the institutionalized spouse. Any such hearing respecting the determination of the community spouse resource allowance shall be held within 30 days of the date of the request for the hearing.

(B)

Revision of minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance

If either such spouse establishes that the community spouse needs income, above the level otherwise provided by the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance, due to exceptional circumstances resulting in significant financial duress, there shall be substituted, for the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance in subsection (d)(2)(A), an amount adequate to provide such additional income as is necessary.

(C)

Revision of community spouse resource allowance

If either such spouse establishes that the community spouse resource allowance (in relation to the amount of income generated by such an allowance) is inadequate to raise the community spouse’s income to the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance, there shall be substituted, for the community spouse resource allowance under subsection (f)(2), an amount adequate to provide such a minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance.

(f)

Permitting transfer of resources to community spouse

(1)

In general

section 1396p(c)(1) of this titleAn institutionalized spouse may, without regard to , transfer an amount equal to the community spouse resource allowance (as defined in paragraph (2)), but only to the extent the resources of the institutionalized spouse are transferred to (or for the sole benefit of) the community spouse. The transfer under the preceding sentence shall be made as soon as practicable after the date of the initial determination of eligibility, taking into account such time as may be necessary to obtain a court order under paragraph (3).

(2)

Community spouse resource allowance defined

In paragraph (1), the “community spouse resource allowance” for a community spouse is an amount (if any) by which—

(A)

the greatest of—

(i)

$12,000 (subject to adjustment under subsection (g)), or, if greater (but not to exceed the amount specified in clause (ii)(II)) an amount specified under the State plan,

(ii)

the lesser of (I) the spousal share computed under subsection (c)(1), or (II) $60,000 (subject to adjustment under subsection (g)),

(iii)

the amount established under subsection (e)(2); or

(iv)

the amount transferred under a court order under paragraph (3);

exceeds

(B)

the amount of the resources otherwise available to the community spouse (determined without regard to such an allowance).

(3)

Transfers under court orders

section 1396p of this titleIf a court has entered an order against an institutionalized spouse for the support of the community spouse, shall not apply to amounts of resources transferred pursuant to such order for the support of the spouse or a family member (as defined in subsection (d)(1)).

(g)

Indexing dollar amounts

For services furnished during a calendar year after 1989, the dollar amounts specified in subsections (d)(3)(C), (f)(2)(A)(i), and (f)(2)(A)(ii)(II) shall be increased by the same percentage as the percentage increase in the consumer price index for all urban consumers (all items; U.S. city average) between September 1988 and the September before the calendar year involved.

(h)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

The term “institutionalized spouse” means an individual who—

(A)

section 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(VI) of this title is in a medical institution or nursing facility or who (at the option of the State) is described in , and

(B)

is married to a spouse who is not in a medical institution or nursing facility;

but does not include any such individual who is not likely to meet the requirements of subparagraph (A) for at least 30 consecutive days.

(2)

The term “community spouse” means the spouse of an institutionalized spouse.

Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531 Pub. L. 100–360, title III, § 303(a)(1)(B)July 1, 1988102 Stat. 754 Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(16)(A)Oct. 13, 1988102 Stat. 2417 Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6411(e)(3)Dec. 19, 1989103 Stat. 2271 Pub. L. 101–508, title IVNov. 5, 1990104 Stat. 1388–192 Pub. L. 103–66, title XIIIAug. 10, 1993107 Stat. 627 Pub. L. 103–252, title I, § 125(b)May 18, 1994108 Stat. 650 Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4802(b)(1)Aug. 5, 1997111 Stat. 548 Pub. L. 109–171, title VI, § 6013(a)Feb. 8, 2006120 Stat. 64 Pub. L. 110–234, title IV, § 4002(b)(1)(B)May 22, 2008122 Stat. 1096 Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a)June 18, 2008122 Stat. 1664(, title XIX, § 1924, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , §§ 4714(a)–(c), 4744(b)(1), , , 1388–198; , §§ 13611(d)(2), 13643(c)(1), , , 647; , , ; , , ; , , ; , (2)(V), , , 1097; , title IV, § 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(V), , , 1857, 1858.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 Pub. L. 110–246 Pub. L. 110–234 section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246 and made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by were repealed by .

Prior Provisions

Aug. 14, 1935section 1396v of this titleA prior section 1924 of act , was renumbered section 1939 and is classified to .

Amendments

Pub. L. 110–246, § 4002(b)(1)(B)section 2014(e) of title 72008—Subsec. (d)(4)(B). , (2)(V), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to .

Pub. L. 109–1712006—Subsec. (d)(6). added par. (6).

Pub. L. 105–33 section 1396u–4(a)(7) of this title1997—Subsec. (a)(5). , in heading substituted “under PACE programs” for “from organizations receiving certain waivers” and in text substituted “under a PACE demonstration waiver program (as defined in ) or under a PACE program under section 1396u–4 or 1395eee of this title.” for “from any organization receiving a frail elderly demonstration project waiver under section 9412(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 or a waiver under section 603(c) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983.”

Pub. L. 103–2521994—Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i). substituted “section 9902(2)” for “sections 9847 and 9902(2)”.

Pub. L. 103–66, § 13643(c)(1)1993—Subsec. (a)(5). , substituted “1986 or a waiver under section 603(c) of the Social Security Amendments of 1983” for “1986”.

Pub. L. 103–66, § 13611(d)(2)Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(i). , substituted “1396p(d) of this title” for “1396a(k) of this title”.

Pub. L. 101–508, § 4744(b)(1)1990—Subsec. (a)(5). , added par. (5).

Pub. L. 101–508, § 4714(a)Subsec. (b)(2). , substituted “for purposes of the post-eligibility income determination described in subsection (d)” for “, after the institutionalized spouse has been determined or redetermined to be eligible for medical assistance”.

Pub. L. 101–508, § 4714(c)September 30, 1989Subsec. (c)(1). , substituted “the beginning of the first continuous period of institutionalization (beginning on or after ) of the institutionalized spouse” for “the beginning of a continuous period of institutionalization of the institutionalized spouse” in subpars. (A) and (B).

Pub. L. 101–508, § 4714(b)Subsec. (f)(1). , substituted “section 1396p(c)(1)” for “section 1396p”.

Pub. L. 101–2391989—Subsecs. (b)(2), (d)(1). inserted “or redetermined” after “determined”.

Pub. L. 100–485, § 608(d)(16)(A)(i)1988—Subsec. (c)(1)(B). , substituted “will have a right to a fair hearing under subsection (e)(2)” for “has right to a fair hearing under subsection (e)(2)(E) with respect to the determination of the community spouse resource allowance, to provide for an allowance adequate to raise the spouse’s income to the minimum monthly maintenance needs allowance”.

Pub. L. 100–485, § 608(d)(16)(A)(ii)Subsec. (c)(2)(B). , substituted “resources shall be considered to be available to an institutionalized spouse, but only to the extent that the amount of such resources exceeds” for “resources shall not be considered to be available to an institutionalized spouse, to the extent that the amount of such resources does not exceed”.

Pub. L. 100–485, § 608(d)(16)(A)(iii)Subsec. (d)(3)(A)(i). , struck out “nonfarm” before “official poverty line”.

Pub. L. 100–485, § 608(d)(16)(A)(iv)Subsec. (d)(4). , substituted “subparagraph (B)” for “subparagraph (C)” in concluding provisions.

Pub. L. 100–485, § 608(d)(16)(A)(v)Subsec. (e)(2)(A). , inserted “if an application for benefits under this subchapter has been made on behalf of the institutionalized spouse” after “with respect to such determination” before period at end of first sentence.

Pub. L. 100–485, § 608(d)(16)(A)(vi)Subsec. (f)(1). , substituted “transfer an amount” for “transfer to the community spouse (or to another for the sole benefit of the community spouse) an amount” and “as soon as practicable” for “as soon as pacticable”.

Pub. L. 100–485, § 608(d)(16)(A)(vii)Subsec. (f)(3). , substituted “spouse or a family member” for “spouse of a family member”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–234 Pub. L. 110–246May 22, 2008Pub. L. 110–234 section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246 section 8701 of Title 7Amendment of this section and repeal of by effective , the date of enactment of , except as otherwise provided, see , set out as an Effective Date note under , Agriculture.

Pub. L. 110–246Oct. 1, 2008section 4407 of Pub. L. 110–246 section 1161 of Title 2Amendment by section 4002(b)(1)(B), (2)(V) of effective , see , set out as a note under , The Congress.

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Pub. L. 109–171, title VI, § 6013(b)Feb. 8, 2006120 Stat. 64

Feb. 8, 2006“The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall apply to transfers and allocations made on or after the date of the enactment of this Act [] by individuals who become institutionalized spouses on or after such date.”

, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Pub. L. 103–252May 18, 199442 U.S.C. 9831Oct. 1, 1994section 127 of Pub. L. 103–252 section 9832 of this titleAmendment by effective , but not applicable to Head Start agencies and other recipients of financial assistance under the Head Start Act ( et seq.) until , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1993 Amendment

section 13611(d)(2) of Pub. L. 103–66Oct. 1, 1993section 13611 of Pub. L. 103–66 section 13611(e) of Pub. L. 103–66 section 1396p of this titleAmendment by applicable, except as otherwise provided, to payments under this subchapter for calendar quarters beginning on or after , without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out the amendments by have been promulgated by such date, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1990 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–508, title IV, § 4714(d)Nov. 5, 1990104 Stat. 1388–192

Pub. L. 100–360“The amendments made [by] this section [amending this section] shall take effect as if included in the enactment of section 303 of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988 [].”

, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1989 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–239 section 303 of Pub. L. 100–360 section 6411(e)(4)(B) of Pub. L. 101–239 section 1396a of this titleAmendment by applicable as if included in the enactment of , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–485 Pub. L. 100–360 section 608(g)(1) of Pub. L. 100–485 section 704 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the enactment of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date

Pub. L. 100–360, title III, § 303(g)July 1, 1988102 Stat. 763 Pub. L. 100–485, title VI, § 608(d)(16)(D)Oct. 13, 1988102 Stat. 2418

“(1)

(A)

42 U.S.C. 1396September 30, 1989 The amendments made by this section [enacting this section and amending sections 1382, 1382b, 1396a, 1396p, 1396r, and 1396s of this title] apply (except as provided in this subsection) to payments under title XIX of the Social Security Act [ et seq.] for calendar quarters beginning on or after , without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out such amendments have been promulgated by such date.

“(B)

42 U.S.C. 1396r–5September 30, 1989 Section 1924 of the Social Security Act [] (as inserted by subsection (a)) shall only apply to institutionalized individuals who begin continuous periods of institutionalization on or after , except that subsections (b) and (d) of such section (and so much of subsection (e) of such section as relates to such other subsections) shall apply as of such date to individuals institutionalized on or after such date.

“(2)

(A)

section 1396p of this title 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(51)(B)July 1, 1988July 1, 1988 The amendment made by subsection (b) [amending ] and section 1902(a)(51)(B) of the Social Security Act [], apply (except as provided in paragraph (5)) to payments under title XIX of the Social Security Act for calendar quarters beginning on or after , or the date of the enactment of this Act [], without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out such amendments have been promulgated by such date.

“(B)

42 U.S.C. 1396p(c)July 1, 1988October 1, 1989 Section 1917(c) of the Social Security Act [], as amended by subsection (b) of this section, shall apply to resources disposed of on or after , except that such section shall not apply with respect to inter-spousal transfers occurring before .

“(C)

June 30, 1988July 1, 1988June 30, 1988July 1, 1988September 30, 1989October 1, 1989 Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), a State may continue to apply the policies contained in the State plan as of , with respect to resources disposed of before , and the laws and policies established by the State as of , or provided for before , shall continue to apply through , (and may, at a State’s option continue after such date) to inter-spousal transfers occurring before .

“(3)

July 1, 1988 The amendments made by subsection (c) [amending sections 1382 and 1382b of this title] shall apply to transfers occurring on or after , without regard to whether or not final regulations to carry out such amendments have been promulgated by such date.

“(4)

section 1396a of this titleApril 8, 1988February 8, 1988 The amendment made by subsection (d) [amending ] is effective on and after . The final rule of the Health Care Financing Administration published on (53 Federal Register 3586) is superseded to the extent inconsistent with the amendment made by subsection (d).

“(5)

section 1396a of this title In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirements imposed by the amendments made by this section (other than paragraphs (1) and (5) of subsection (e) [amending ]), the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet these additional requirements before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature.

“(6)

section 1396a of this titleOctober 1, 1982 The amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (5) of subsection (e) [amending ] shall apply to medical assistance furnished on or after .”

, , , as amended by , , , provided that:

Rule of Construction

Pub. L. 116–16, § 2(b)Apr. 18, 2019133 Stat. 852

“(1)

Protecting state spousal income and asset disregard flexibility under waivers and plan amendments .—

section 2404 of Public Law 111–148 42 U.S.C. 1396r–5 42 U.S.C. 1396r–5Nothing in ( note) or section 1924 of the Social Security Act () shall be construed as prohibiting a State from disregarding an individual’s spousal income and assets under a State waiver or plan amendment described in paragraph (2) for purposes of making determinations of eligibility for home and community-based services or home and community-based attendant services and supports under such waiver or plan amendment.

“(2)

State waiver or plan amendment described .—

A State waiver or plan amendment described in this paragraph is any of the following:

“(A)

42 U.S.C. 1396n 42 U.S.C. 1315 A waiver or plan amendment to provide medical assistance for home and community-based services under a waiver or plan amendment under subsection (c), (d), or (i) of section 1915 of the Social Security Act () or under section 1115 of such Act ().

“(B)

42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(C)42 U.S.C. 1396a(f)42 U.S.C. 1396r–5 A plan amendment to provide medical assistance for home and community-based services for individuals by reason of being determined eligible under section 1902(a)(10)(C) of such Act () or by reason of section 1902(f) of such Act () or otherwise on the basis of a reduction of income based on costs incurred for medical or other remedial care under which the State disregarded the income and assets of the individual’s spouse in determining the initial and ongoing financial eligibility of an individual for such services in place of the spousal impoverishment provisions applied under section 1924 of such Act ().

“(C)

42 U.S.C. 1396n(k) A plan amendment to provide medical assistance for home and community-based attendant services and supports under section 1915(k) of such Act ().”

, , , provided that:

Similar provisions were contained in the following prior act:

Pub. L. 116–3, § 3(b)Jan. 24, 2019133 Stat. 7, , .

section 3(b) of Pub. L. 116–39 section 204(b) of Pub. L. 116–94 section 3812(b) of Pub. L. 116–136 section 2302(b) of Pub. L. 116–159 section 1105(b) of Pub. L. 116–215 section 1396a of this title[For additional provisions relating to construction of this section, see , , , , and , set out as notes under .]

Protection for Recipients of Home and Community-Based Services Against Spousal Impoverishment

Pub. L. 111–148, title II, § 2404Mar. 23, 2010124 Stat. 305 Pub. L. 116–3, § 3(a)Jan. 24, 2019133 Stat. 7 Pub. L. 116–16, § 2(a)Apr. 18, 2019133 Stat. 852 Pub. L. 116–39, § 3(a)Aug. 6, 2019133 Stat. 1061 Pub. L. 116–94, div. N, title I, § 204(a)Dec. 20, 2019133 Stat. 3111 Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3812(a)Mar. 27, 2020134 Stat. 429 Pub. L. 116–159, div. C, title III, § 2302(a)Oct. 1, 2020134 Stat. 731 Pub. L. 116–215, div. B, title I, § 1105(a)Dec. 11, 2020134 Stat. 1043 Pub. L. 116–260, div. CC, title II, § 205(a)Dec. 27, 2020134 Stat. 2983 Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title V, § 5115Dec. 29, 2022136 Stat. 5941

January 1, 2014September 30, 202742 U.S.C. 1396r–5(h)(1)(A)42 U.S.C. 1396n 42 U.S.C. 1315 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(C)42 U.S.C. 1396a(f)42 U.S.C. 1396n(k)42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(VI)“During the period beginning on , and ending on , section 1924(h)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act () shall be applied as though ‘is eligible for medical assistance for home and community-based services provided under subsection (c), (d), or (i) of section 1915 [], under a waiver approved under section 1115 [], or who is eligible for such medical assistance by reason of being determined eligible under section 1902(a)(10)(C) [] or by reason of section 1902(f) [] or otherwise on the basis of a reduction of income based on costs incurred for medical or other remedial care, or who is eligible for medical assistance for home and community-based attendant services and supports under section 1915(k) []’ were substituted in such section for ‘(at the option of the State) is described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(VI) []’.”

, , , as amended by , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , , provided that:

section 2404 of Pub. L. 111–148 section 3(b) of Pub. L. 116–39 section 204(b) of Pub. L. 116–94 section 3812(b) of Pub. L. 116–136 section 2302(b) of Pub. L. 116–159 section 1105(b) of Pub. L. 116–215 section 205(b) of Pub. L. 116–260 section 1396a of this title[For provisions relating to construction of , set out above, see , , , , , and , set out as notes under .]