Medicaid PNA Modernization Act

This bill would increase the minimum monthly personal needs allowance for individuals and couples receiving Medicaid in institutional settings. The allowance for individuals would rise from $30 to $60, while the allowance for couples would increase from $60 to $120. These funds are deducted from a person's total income to cover personal expenses before their remaining income is applied toward the cost of their institutional care.

This bill directly affects institutionalized individuals and couples who receive Medicaid benefits. It also impacts the state and federal agencies responsible for calculating Medicaid income deductions and contributions toward the cost of institutional care.

• Increase to individual personal needs allowance. The bill raises the minimum monthly personal needs allowance for an institutionalized individual under Medicaid from $30 to $60.
• Increase to couple personal needs allowance. The bill raises the minimum monthly personal needs allowance for an institutionalized couple under Medicaid from $60 to $120.
• Adjustment to Medicaid cost-of-care calculations. The legislation modifies how an individual's contribution to the cost of institutionalized care is determined by increasing the amount of income deducted for personal needs.

This bill modifies existing Medicaid requirements by increasing the minimum monthly personal needs allowance for institutionalized individuals and couples, which is used to calculate their required financial contribution toward the cost of care.

The bill aims to increase the minimum monthly personal needs allowance for institutionalized individuals and couples under Medicaid, effectively doubling the amount of income they may retain for personal expenses before contributing to the cost of their care.