§ 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.