Because many people try to give away or divest their assets in order to escape paying their share of nursing home costs, Medicaid will investigate any recent transfers of assets you have made. Any transfer of assets you have made in the last 36 months will be reviewed and any transfers into trusts in the last 60 months will be subject to review.

For example, if you were to transfer $90,000, 36 months before your application to Medicaid, and nursing home costs within the immediate area where $3000 per month, the result would be a period of ineligibility for Medicaid for 30 months.

Medicaid is supposed to determine your eligibility in less than 45 days (or less than 60 if you are disabled but not elderly). Unfortunately, Medicaid fails to meet these goals and getting your eligibility determined can take much longer.

*Medicaid rules and guidelines differ by state and can change yearly, you should contact your local Medicaid office for the most current information.

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