Rule 5160:1-3-05.11 | Medicaid: automobiles and other modes of transportation as resources.
(A) This rule describes the treatment of automobiles and other modes of transportation for purposes of determining eligibility for medical assistance.
(B) Definitions. For the purposes of this rule:
(1) "Automobile" means any vehicle used for transportation. It can include, in addition to cars and trucks: motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, animal-drawn vehicles, and animals.
(2) "Deemor" means an individual whose income and resources are subject to deeming, including ineligible parents, sponsors of non-citizens, ineligible spouses, and essential persons.
(3) "Equity value" has the same meaning as in rule 5160:1-1-01 of the Administrative Code.
(4) "Fair market value" has the same meaning as in rule 5160:1-1-01 of the Administrative Code.
(C) One automobile is excluded for the individual, regardless of value, when a member of the individual's household uses the automobile for transportation.
(1) For the purpose of determining the community spouse resource allowance for couples when one spouse is institutionalized, one automobile is considered totally excluded, regardless of its use and value in accordance with rule 5160:1-6-04 of the Administrative Code.
(2) When an automobile is not excluded, count the equity value of the automobile as a resource.
(3) When an individual, couple, or deemor owns more than oneautomobile, any automobile other than the one wholly excluded is a resource in the amount of its equity value, unless the automobile can be excluded under another rule (e.g., property essential for self-support).
(4) When an individual owns more than one automobile, the exclusion applies to the automobile with the greater equity value, regardless of which automobile is actually used.
(5) The equity value for all additional automobiles, except leased automobiles, is counted as a resource.
(6) The equity value for all vehicles that are not used for transportation (e.g., pleasure boats) or excluded under another rule (e.g., necessary for self-employment) is counted as a resource. These vehicles are considered countable personal effects.
(D) For the purpose of determining whether a vehicle is used for transportation, accept the individual's account of its use. When a vehicle is not being used for transportation, determine the reason why.
(1) A temporarily broken-down vehicle normally used for transportation still qualifies as an excluded automobile.
(2) An automobile that is permanently inoperable or has been junked does not qualify as an excluded automobile.
(3) An automobile that is used only as a recreational vehicle (e.g., a boat used weekends on the lake) does not qualify as an excluded automobile.
(4) Vehicles that do not meet the definition of an automobile are personal effects. The value they have as a resource is their equity value, and the personal effects exclusion, described in rule 5160:1-3-05.10 of the Administrative Code, does not apply to them.
(E) The fair market value of an automobile is determined by the average trade-in value shown for the automobile in the j.d. power online guide (formerly the "National Automobile Dealers Association [NADA] Guide"). The description of the vehicle must be complete enough to enable the administrative agency to locate the vehicle in the j.d. power online guide. The description is to include the year, make, model, number of doors, equipment, etc. Absent evidence to the contrary, assume the automobile to be in average condition.
(1) When the j.d. power online guide cannot be used (e.g., animal-drawn vehicle), obtain a fair market value estimate from a disinterested knowledgeable source such as a used automobile dealer or an automobile insurance company.
(2) When an individual disagrees with the value of an automobile, or in cases of antique or collectible automobiles that are not listed in the j.d. power online guide, the value of the automobile may be obtained by a written appraisal of the automobile's fair market value from a disinterested knowledgeable source. The administrative agency is not bound by this appraisal but the appraisal is to be considered in the evaluation of the automobile.
(3) The fair market value of an antique or collectible automobile often fluctuates, so the current fair market value of these automobiles should always be verified.
Last updated September 29, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Supplemental Information