42-4-106. Application for assistance; determination of eligibility; assignment of benefits; resources and income allowances defined for institutionalized spouse.
(a) Any Wyoming resident may apply for medical assistance under this chapter by filing an application by telephone, by mail, in person at the eligibility customer service center in Cheyenne, on the eligibility internet site or at a department of family services field office located in the county in which the individual resides. A determination of eligibility for medical assistance shall be based upon the application. Medical assistance shall be provided on behalf of a qualified applicant with reasonable promptness.
(b) Upon signing an application for medical assistance under this chapter, an applicant assigns to the department any right to medical support or payment for medical expenses from any other person on his behalf or on behalf of any relative for whom application is made. The assignment is effective upon a determination of eligibility. Application for medical assistance shall contain an explanation of the assignment provided under this subsection.
(c) In determining the eligibility of an institutionalized spouse for medical assistance under this chapter, the resources of the noninstitutionalized spouse shall not be considered available to the institutionalized spouse to the extent the amount of his resources does not exceed the maximum authorized by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, P.L. 100-360. For purposes of determining the amount of an institutionalized spouse's monthly income to be applied towards payment of institutional care costs, the maximum amount of allowance authorized by the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, P.L. 100-360 shall be deducted from his monthly income.
(d) In any assistance program under this chapter for which income is the criterion or one (1) of the criteria for assistance payments, compensation received for a veteran's service connected disability shall not be counted in determining income if that compensation on an annual basis is not more than the poverty level for the applicant as determined by the federal office of management and budget.