09/11/2025

Ohio Department of Medicaid Posts Personal Needs Allowance Increase Rule for Public Comment

The Ohio Department of Medicaid has released a draft rule to increase the Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) from $50 to $75, an important change that LeadingAge Ohio strongly supported during the state operating budget process. The increase is slated to take effect October 1, 2025.

As currently written, the rule applies only to individuals residing in medical institutions who do not have a base eligibility category that uses the modified adjusted gross income methodology in accordance with Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 5160:1. This definition does not appear to include residents of assisted living facilities.

One of the Ohio Aging Advocacy Coalition’s budget priorities was to increase the nursing facility and assisted living personal needs allowance to at least $75 per month. Extending the increase to assisted living residents would provide additional resources for personal expenses and greater flexibility in meeting daily needs. The Coalition will be submitting a formal comment to the Ohio Department of Medicaid reflecting this position.

The comment period is open from September 10 through September 17, 2025. All clearance comments should be submitted to Rules@Medicaid.Ohio.gov.

All comments become part of the public record. Members should avoid including protected health information but are encouraged to provide input based on their expertise and experience. Engagement at this stage ensures that the perspectives of nonprofit providers are reflected in Ohio’s Medicaid policy.