Policy Memo: Budgeting Medical Expenses for Food Stamps

Policy Memo: Budgeting Medical Expenses for Food Stamps

Summary:

• The Medicare Drug Discount Card program ends on May 15, 2006. This program has been replaced by the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). 
• Food and Nutrition Services has provided instuctions for the budgeting of medical expenses for customers who enrolled in the Medicare Part D Program and for those who have not enrolled, but no longer have the Medicare Drug Discount Card.
• Effective immediately, at REDE, case review, or when a change is reported, no longer allow the $23 monthly value of the Drug Discount card.
• The $50 Medicare Discount Card Credit should no longer be budgeted as a medical expense, except for certain persons who were authorized for the Drug Discount card in 2004.  Stop counting the $50 credit at the end of the 24 month approval period. 
• A customer enrolled in the Medicare Part D program is allowed unreimbursed out- of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs when determining the medical deduction.
• If the customer has a Medicare Part D premium payment, allow as a medical deduction.