211.11 MEAD-Specific Resources (MAM)

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MEAD-specific resources consist of:

• MEAD Employability Accounts; and

• MEAD Medical Savings Accounts.

MEAD Employability Account

A MEAD Employability Account is a separately identifiable account specifically designated to purchase certain goods or services that will enhance the individual’s employability. These goods or services cannot be:

• covered by the Medicaid program;

• reimbursable by another third party;

• excluded as a resource; or

• allowed as a deduction.

An individual cannot simultaneously set aside funds for the same item in both a PASS plan and a MEAD employability account.

Items that enhance employability include, but are not limited to:

• equipment, supplies, operating capital, and inventory required to establish a business;

• any cost associated with an educational or occupational training facility, including tutoring and counseling;

• work-related attendant care services to enable the individual to prepare for work, such as bathing and dressing, or services provided in the workplace;

• medical devices which enable the individual to work, such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, pacemakers, and respirators;

• uniforms, specialized clothing, and safety equipment;

• equipment or tools either specific to the individual's condition or designed for general use;

• least costly transportation expenses to and from work, such as weekly or monthly bus passes;

• purchase of a private vehicle;

• operational or accessibility modifications to buildings or vehicles to accommodate a disability;

• routine drugs or medical services to ameliorate a disability;

• diagnostic procedures related to evaluation, control, or treatment of a disabling condition;

• prescribed non-medical appliances and devices essential for controlling the disabling condition at home or work, such as air filtering equipment;

• expendable medical supplies; and

• guide dogs, dog food, licenses, and veterinary services.

Treatment: Excluded

Exception: If funds are withdrawn from a MEAD employability account for unapproved items, count the remaining balance as a resource.

MEAD Medical Savings Account

A MEAD medical savings account is a tax-exempt account established with a financial institution, such as a bank or insurance company, set up for the sole purpose of paying qualified medical expenses of the account holder.

MEAD medical savings accounts can be established by employed individuals who have a high deductible health insurance plan, which provides protection against catastrophic illnesses.

Funds in a MEAD medical savings account are used to pay for out-of-pocket expenses such as:

• routine care;

• deductibles; and

• co-insurance and co-payments.

Funds in a MEAD medical savings account cannot be used to pay for premiums.

Acceptable documentation of a MEAD medical savings account is a copy of the account or account statement, and a copy of completed IRS Form 8853, Archer MSAs and Long Term Care Insurance Contracts.

Treatment: Excluded

References: He-W 841.03, RSA 167:3-i, RSA 167:3-c,XII, RSA 167:6,IX, 42 CFR 435.914, 42 USC 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XV)