DHA Case No. MGE 208326 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals July 18, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF Amember’s patient liability can be reduced to allow payment of medical or remedial expenses that the member “has incurred, is actually paying, and is legally obligated to pay.” In this case, after losing fair hearings on the […] Read more

DHA Case No. FCP 208424 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals July 10, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF An individual is functionally eligible for Family Care if he or she needs a “nursing home” level of care, as determined by the functional screen. In this case, the petitioner’s functional screen found him functionally ineligible because […] Read more

DHA Case No. MGE 208349 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals June 13, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF In general, applicants are responsible for verification—but agencies cannot deny eligibility when the applicant has no ability to get the required verification. In this case, the petitioner and his wife were both applying for Institutional MA through their […] Read more

DHA Case No. MRA 208459 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals June 29, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF An ALJ may increase the community spouse income allocation (CSIA) if the community spouse does not have enough income to pay his or her “necessary and basic maintenance needs.” In this case, the community spouse had income […] Read more

DHA Case No. MDV 208396 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals June 29, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF Any transfer of resources for less than fair market value is generally a divestment, but there is an exception if the resource was transferred “exclusively for some other purpose than to become eligible for MA.” In this […] Read more

DHA Case No. MDD 208783 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals August 15, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF In making a disability determination, the Disability Determination Bureau (DDB) applies a 5-step test. Step 5 considers whether the individual can adjust to types of work the individual has not performed in the past, considering his or […] Read more

DHA Case No. MDD 208892 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals August 22, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF In making a disability determination, the Disability Determination Bureau (DDB) applies a 5-step test. Step 5 considers whether the individual can adjust to types of work the individual has not performed in the past, considering his or […] Read more

DHA Case No. MDV 208757 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals July 27, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF To waive the entire divestment penalty, an undue hardship waiver request must be filed within 20 days of the undue hardship notice letter mailed by the agency. If filed later, the earliest effective date is the date […] Read more

DHA Case No. CWA 208804 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals September 8, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF The Medicaid Eligibility Handbook counts some income even though it is unavailable—garnishments, for example. In this case, the petitioner had $300 garnished monthly for a tax debt but his patient liability was not reduced to compensate. ALJ John Tedesco […] Read more

DHA Case No. FCP 207586 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals July 20, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF MCOs in the Family Care program may authorize residential services—such as placement in an Adult Family Home (AFH)—only if they are the most cost-effective option, if they are needed to support the member’s long-term care outcomes, or […] Read more

DHA Case No. SSO 208238 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals June 22, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF Wisconsin pays a state supplement to SSI recipients who are Wisconsin residents. In this case, the state SSI office claimed an overpayment because the Social Security Administration coded the petitioner as a California resident from December 2021 […] Read more

DHA Case No. FCP 208218 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals June 12, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF Cost share reductions are effective the month of the change report, even if the actual change in income or expense was earlier. In this case, the petitioner enrolled in Family Care with a cost share effective November […] Read more

DHA Case No. CWA 208193 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals October 2, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF When DHS increases a member’s cost share, it has the burden of proof on appeal. In this rather messy case, it was clear that the cost share should have been lower but it was not clear whose […] Read more

DHA Case No. HMO 208074 (Wis. Div. of Hearings and Appeals June 12, 2023) (DHS) ↓ Download PDF Medical Assistance does not cover services that DHS deems experimental. In this case, the petitioner was denied coverage of an Intracept spinal procedure to alleviate back pain because it was deemed experimental. ALJ Brian Schneider found no […] Read more