ARTICLE
As a reminder, effective June 1, 2014 Indiana changed the way individuals are determined eligible for Medicaid coverage under the aged, blind, or disabled aid categories. Attached is the bulletin that was issued to assist providers in implementing these changes. Many providers have assisted their consumers in establishing Miller Trusts to help ensure that those consumers maintain their Medicaid eligibility due to high income or in cases where they receive large unexpected amounts of resources including back SSI/SSDI payments. It is important to note that Myers & Stauffer has posted the item below on their website relative to the costs incurred in setting up trusts or fees for court appointed guardians: Miller Trust: The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has transitioned to a 1634 State for Medicaid eligibility. This is to provide additional guidance regarding Medicaid Reimbursement for court-appointed guardian, financial institutions, or Third Party Trust (Miller Trust) Costs for nursing facility, ICF/IID, and CRF/DD residents, the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning (OMPP) provides the following policy clarification. Legal and Administrative fees incurred to set up and maintain a Third Party Trust or fees for a court-appointed guardian/financial institution are allowable costs, and should be reported on a provider's Medicaid Financial Report on line 407, to the extent these costs were not covered by the resident's personal funds. To the extent that you have these costs which for many of you is material, we recommend that you track them separately and claim them on your cost report as appropriate. Many thanks to INARF’s Medicaid Consultant Bradley & Associates for compiling this reminder. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Tracy Mitchell (tracym@bradleycpa.com) or Dan Gaafar (dang@bradleycpa.com) at Bradley & Associates 317-237-5500.