Texas House Bill 54 and Medicaid Income limits

Texas Medicaid Long-Term Care Eligibility for Seniors

Income limits of a beneficiary’s monthly income ($2,742) , with the exception of a Personal Needs Allowance of $75 (increase effective 9/1/2023 pursuant to HB 54), Medicare premiums, and possibly an income allowance for a non-applicant spouse (stay at home spouse eligible for a minimum of $3,715.50 monthly income) applicant’s remaining income must go towards nursing home costs.

Applicant eligible for resource limit of $2,000 and spouse or non-applicant eligible for resource limit of $148,620 plus exempt items.

Treatment of Income for a Couple
When only one spouse of a married couple applies for Institutional Medicaid or a Medicaid Waiver, only the income of the applicant is counted. This means the income of the non-applicant spouse is disregarded and does not impact the income eligibility of their applicant spouse. The non-applicant spouse, however, may be entitled to a Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMNA) from their applicant spouse to prevent spousal impoverishment. In 2023, the MMNA in TX is $3,715.50 / month. If a non-applicant spouse has monthly income under this amount, income can be transferred to them from their applicant spouse, bringing their income up to this level. A non-applicant spouse who already has an income of $3,715.50 / month or more is not entitled to a MMNA / spousal income allowance.