(Revised 10/01/14 ML 3410)
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The client can choose to have current medical expenses, paid or unpaid computed as follows:
- Averaged over the review period at application or review or the remainder of the review period for ongoing cases.
- Used as a one-time expense for the next month.
- A monthly installment can be used for the period of time it has been agreed upon for the household to pay the balance. Once the period of time of payment has been determined, monthly installments remain in the case for the length of the review period even if the bill is paid in full as it does not meet the criteria to decrease benefits.
This agreement can be verbal or implied (as long as the medical provider is accepting payment, there is an agreement).
The worker must assist the household in deciding which method provides the household with the greater benefit.
If the averaging or monthly installment computation is used, a one-time expense is treated separately. Do not change the averaged amount currently being used for the review period.
Example:
A household has ongoing monthly medical expenses of $100 and the household timely reports a one time medical expense of $250 for glasses on March 5. When calculating benefits for the month of April, the ongoing monthly medical expense of $100 is allowed and the household has the option of using the $250 deduction as follows:
- The one time medical expense of $250 can be averaged over the remaining months of the review period.
- Allowed as a one time medical expense of $250 for April, when calculating benefits for the month of May the medical expense is not allowed.
- If the household had agreed to a monthly installment of $50 for the glasses, the $50 would be added to the $100 ongoing monthly medical expenses for the next five months.
