1. (a) As used in this section, "asset disregard" means one (1) of the following:

   1. (1) A one dollar ($1) increase in the amount of assets an individual who:

      1. (A) purchases a qualified long term care policy; and

      2. (B) meets the requirements under section 8 of this chapter;

         may retain under IC 12-15-3 for each one dollar ($1) of benefit paid out under the individual's long term care policy for long term care services.

   2. (2) The total assets an individual owns and may retain under IC 12-15-3 and still qualify for benefits under IC 12-15 at the time the individual applies for benefits if the individual:

      1. (A) is the beneficiary of a qualified long term care policy that provides maximum benefits at time of purchase of at least one hundred forty thousand dollars ($140,000) and includes a provision under which the daily benefit increases by at least five percent (5%) per year, compounded at least annually;
      2. (B) meets the requirements under section 8 of this chapter; and
      3. (C) has exhausted the benefits of the qualified long term care policy.

2. (b) When the office determines whether an individual is eligible for Medicaid under IC 12-15-3 , the office shall:

   1. (1) make an asset disregard adjustment for any individual who purchases a qualified long term care policy; and

   2. (2) if the assets owned by the individual's spouse are included in the individual's eligibility determination, include the assets of the individual's spouse in the asset disregard adjustment.

      The asset disregard must be available after benefits of the long term care policy have been applied to the cost of long term care as required under this chapter.

3. (c) The qualified long term care policy an individual must purchase to be eligible for the asset disregard under subsection (a)(2) must have maximum benefits at time of purchase equal to at least one hundred forty thousand dollars ($140,000) plus five percent (5%) interest compounded annually beginning January 1, 1999.

As added by P.L.24-1997, SEC.53. Amended by P.L.2-1998, SEC.39; P.L.146-2015, SEC.1.