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Minnesota is scheduled to begin the "Ticket to Work" program in 2003. http://www.ssa.gov/work/Ticket/ticket_info.html

Strengthening Community Options in Minnesota What is the Options Initiative? This is a new initiative, which started July 1, 2001, to strengthen home and community-based services for people with disabilities under the age of 65 years so they can remain in the community, or move out of an institution if they so choose.

Why is this initiative being undertaken? The Minnesota Department of Human Services recognizes the importance of helping people live where they choose with appropriate services that assure their health and safety. A 1999 U.S. Supreme Court case (Olmstead vs. L.C.) challenged states to prevent and correct inappropriate institutional living arrangements for people with disabilities. Who can benefit from this initiative? Any person with disabilities under the age of 65 years who is eligible for Medical Assistance, may be able to benefit from one or more of the options of this initiative. This initiative offers help to people who are currently residing in or are referred to nursing facilities, hospitals, intermediate care facilities for people with mental retardation and related conditions (ICF/MR), and regional treatment centers. What are the components of this initiative? Service coordination will help people to plan for their move and ensure that the necessary services and supports are in place to meet their needs in the community. Home and community-based service options will be expanded, made more flexible, and provide people with more choice and control. Safeguards will be put in place to prevent the long-term placement of people under age 65 years in nursing facilities. Housing subsidies will be available for people moving from nursing homes so they can access affordable housing in the community Minnesota's Initiative to Provide Community Living Options  For People with Disabilities Under Age 65 For more Information contact your local county agency: www.dhs.state.mn.us/infocenter/regional.htm Date: 7/27/01

MA for "Employed Persons with Disabilities"

The new option allowing people with disabilities who work to receive Medical Assistance (MA) at either low or no cost has begun!  It is called "Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities" or "MA-EPD".

Minnesotans with disabilities are eligible for MA-EPD if:

they are employed; and they have been determined to have a disability by either the Social Security Administration or the State Medical Review Team; and they are under age 65; and the have no more than $20,000 in assets (not counting retirement accounts, medical expense accounts, a spouse's assets, or other assets excluded under MA, such as a home, a vehicle and household goods)); and they pay a monthly premium to the MA program, if required (see below)

Note:

People on the SSI, SSI 1619(a) or SSI 1619(b) are not eligible for MA-EPD because they already qualify for MA without a spenddown.  They may qualify if their situation changes, making them ineligible for SSI, SSI 1619(a) or SSI 1619(b). People on the MA Home & Community Based Waivers (such as the CADI, CAC, DD or TBI Waivers) are not eligible for MA-EPD at this time.

Definition of "employed" You may work either full or part-time, as long as you have some earned income from employment each month.

Definition of "disability" People who receive Social Security benefits due to a disability meet this requirement. Those who do not receive Social Security may be able to be "certified disabled" by the State Medical Review Team.  When you apply for MA-EPD, your county financial worker will arrange for a disability determination by the State Medical Review Team, if necessary.

How to apply: Contact your county financial worker and ask to change your current MA to MA-EPD. If you do not have a financial worker, contact your local count government office and ask to speak someone who determines eligibility for the Medical Assistance program.  Say you want to apply for MA-EPD. MA-EPD  is a new program.  If your county financial worker is not familiar with it, they can refer to DHS Bulletin #99-16-6, which was mailed to the counties at the end of July.

Remember: If you go to work or begin working more, you need to consider how that will affect other benefits you receive, such as Social Security, MSA, Food Stamps or subsidized housing.

Other Health Insurance If you have other health insurance, tell your county financial worker.  Under certain circumstances, Medical Assistance may pay the premiums for you to continue receiving other health coverage, in addition to MA-EPD.

Monthly Premium: There is no upper limit on the amount of income you have.  If your income is above certain limits, you may have to pay a premium each month, but it will be much less  than the MA spenddowns currently paid by many people with disabilities.  See the worksheet below to estimate what your monthly premium might be if you are eligible.  The actual premium must be determined by your county financial worker.

The 2001 Minnesota Legislature made several changes to the MA-EPD program.  Full details will not be available until these changes are implemented over the next several months. Here's what we know so far: MA-EPD Premium Scale Changes Effective November 1, 2001, the premium scale for MA-EPD will be changed.  Most people on MA-EPD will now have to pay at least a small monthly premium.  Some people who already pay a premium may have to pay more.  While this change may be difficult to accept, these new premiums are lower than they would have been under other proposals debated by the legislature.  They also remain considerably less than the spenddowns that many individuals had to pay before MA-EPD came into existence. The specific premium scale will be developed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).  The legislature directed DHS to create a sliding fee scale based on percentages of a person's gross monthly income.  Gross monthly income will be calculated as before: earned income from a job plus unearned income such as Social Security Disability Insurance.  The scale will start at 1% of gross income for people with incomes equal to 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) and gradually increase to 7.5% of gross income for people with incomes equal to or greater than 300% of FPG. While the full premium scale is not yet available, it is anticipated that a single person whose gross monthly income is $716 (currently 100% of FPG) would pay a premium of about $7 per month.  A single person whose gross monthly income is $2,148 (currently 300% of FPG) would pay a premium of about $161 per month.  While no one will pay more than 7.5% of their income, there is no maximum income limit or maximum premium.  In other words, premiums will continue to rise as income increases. Please note that the examples above are estimates.  Specific premiums will not be known until DHS completes the new premium scale. MA-EPD enrollees will receive a notice from DHS with more information about the new premium scale.  This notice will probably be sent out in September.  If you are on MA-EPD, you won't be charged the new monthly premium amount until it's time for the first 6-month income review or annual recertification with your county financial worker that occurs after December 1st.  When that review occurs, your financial worker will look at your gross income and calculate your specific premium amount for the next 6 months. MA-EPD "Temporary Leave for Medical Reasons" Timeline Extended Effective November 1, 2001, people who must temporarily stop working for medical reasons will be allowed to remain on MA-EPD for up to four months, if a physician verifies their condition.  This doubles the current limit of two months allowed under MA-EPD's existing "Temporary Leave for Medical Reasons" provision.

Married couples: If you are married, your husband's or wife's income and assets will not be counted.  As noted in the above worksheet, your premium may be lower if you are married or have children.

Please note: If your husband or wife also has a disability and receives SSI, call us!  Their SSI benefits could be affected if you work or increase your employment.

For more information: Contact your county financial worker or local county human services agency. If you still have questions after contacting our county, call us: Work Incentives Assistance Center Project Phone: 651-282-6609 or toll free 1-800-328-9095 TTY: 651-296-3900 or Minnesota Relay: 1-800-627-3529

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