Sec. 01.01.2004.61. Non-Veteran Spousal Admission to Charlotte Hall Veterans Home

A. Definition. "Qualifying spouse" means:

(1) The spouse of a veteran who is eligible for admission to Charlotte Hall Veterans Home; or

(2) The spouse of a deceased veteran who would otherwise be eligible for admission to Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.

B. In order to increase the number of applicants who will apply for currently unfilled beds and to provide care in the most home-like setting possible, the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, which has heretofore only admitted veterans as residents, may also admit qualifying spouses, up to the limit allowed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Qualifying spouses will be admitted under the following conditions:

(1) A qualifying spouse must meet the qualifying admission criteria and produce proof of marriage to an eligible veteran;

(2) A qualifying spouse may not be admitted once the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home's census reaches 90%, unless otherwise determined by the Maryland Veterans Home Commission and Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs;

(3) A qualifying spouse is not eligible for a federal Veterans' Affairs per diem provided for veteran residents, nor for the additional State subsidy provided veteran residents in Assisted Living;

(4) The admission of a qualifying spouse must be at no cost to the State of Maryland, except under the State's Medicaid program;

(5) A qualifying spouse is to receive the same quality of care, appropriate to his or her needs;

(6) A qualifying spouse may remain a resident of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home if the veteran spouse, who is also a resident, either dies or is discharged; and

(7) A qualifying spouse who is discharged for medical reasons may be eligible for readmission, provided an admission application is filed within 60 days of the preceding discharge. A qualifying spouse who is discharged for non-medical reasons may not be eligible for readmission.

Effective date: November 11, 2004 (31:24 Md. R. 1692)