What happens to the money in the trust account?
In the programs with a potential patient responsibility (ICP, Institutional Hospice and the Assisted Living HCBS program) all income, including income deposited in the trust account, is counted in determining patient responsibility. An allowance is made for the individual’s personal needs and the needs of the community spouse/dependents, if applicable. The trustee pays the provider the patient responsibility, disburses funds to the community spouse/dependents (if applicable) and uses the personal need allowance for the individual’s needs. Usually, very little money accumulates in the trust account. The other HCBS programs have no patient responsibility. The trustee uses the trust fund for the individual’s needs. Cash should not be returned to the individual as it would be considered income and could defeat the purpose of the trust. Any money remaining in the trust upon the death of the individual is sent to the state, up to the amount equal to the medical assistance paid on behalf of t
