10/09/2025

State Posts Personal Need Allowance Rule for NFs, Not AL

As previously reported in The Source, the Ohio Department of Medicaid is moving forward in implementing a rule that would increase the personal needs allowance (PNA) for Medicaid-enrolled individuals residing in institutions, which include nursing homes. Ohio’s personal needs allowance has been $50 per month for many years, and as the cost of goods and services– meals out, hair styling, personal care items– have continued to increase. 

The PNA increase was required by House Bill 96, Ohio’s biennial budget bill. Notably, the rule only applies to the long-term care population residing in “medical institutions,” which necessarily excludes community-based settings like assisted living. 

LeadingAge Ohio submitted comments urging Medicaid to include assisted living in its PNA increase, and was joined by other aging advocates including the Ohio Healthcare Association, the Ohio Assisted Living Association, and the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (O4a). Additionally, each association urged caution that the Department not simply increase the PNA by decreasing the amount that assisted living communities collect via room and board. Rather, the cost of this PNA increase should be born by the state through additional payments and/or rate increases. 

LeadingAge Ohio will continue to work with the Department to ensure that long-term care residents have the autonomy and dignity afforded by Ohio’s personal needs allowance, regardless of care setting.