Elder Law Answers
How Does the Medicaid Look-Back Period Work?
One area that causes a lot of confusion with regard to Medicaid is the look-back period. What exactly does the look-back p...
Read moreDoes the Medicaid Look-Back Period Apply to Community-Based Medicaid?
- January 15th, 2016
Q
Does the Medicaid "look-back" period apply only to nursing home costs? If an individual transfers assets and applies for Medicaid for home care and other medical expenses, but the individual does not enter a nursing home in the five-year period, will there be a transfer penalty?
A
Unfortunately, we can’t tell you because the answer depends on the state. In most states, there is no transfer penalty for community- or home care-based Medicaid benefits, but that is not the case in all states. You will need to consult with a local elder law attorney. To find an attorney near you, go here: http://www.elderlawanswers.com/elder-law-attorneys.
For more information on the Medicaid transfer penalty, click here.