In the January edition of the NYS Medicaid Update, pages 9-14, DOH released the 2013 spousal impoverishment income and resource levels for couples with an institutionalized spouse.

Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the federal maximum community spouse resource allowance increases to $115,920,while the community spouse income allowance increases to $2,898. The maximum family member monthly allowance remains $631 until the federal poverty levels for 2013 are published in the Federal Register.

This information should be provided to any institutionalized spouse, community spouse or representative acting on their behalf so as to avoid unnecessary depletion of the amount of assets a couple can retain under the spousal impoverishment eligibility provisions.

Contact: Cheryl Udell, cudell@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8871