Bill would let Medicaid nursing home residents keep set amounts

Wyoming would allow covered residents to keep up to $100 a month for personal needs and up to $5,500 in assets for Medicaid long-term care. This covers nursing home residents who apply for or receive Wyoming Medicaid. The amounts must follow federal Medicaid law. The act would take effect when the federal Medicaid agency approves every state plan change needed for these amounts.

Wyoming would set aside $346,900 in state money and $346,900 in federal money for the Department of Health. The money is for the Medicaid limits that apply to nursing home residents. The department could use the money only for the allowance and asset threshold. Lawmakers say they intend to include this funding in the department's regular budget for the next two-year period. The money covers July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028. Any unspent, uncommitted money would return under state law on June 30, 2028.