Look-Back Period (for Medicaid/MediCal/MassHealth)
What Does 'Look-Back Period (for Medicaid/MediCal/MassHealth)' Mean?
In order to qualify for Long-Term Care benefits under Medicaid in the past, many people tried to "give away" money to children or transfer assets to a "safe" financial vehicle.
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A Medicaid look-back period is a time frame used to evaluate if you qualify for Medicaid coverage. By federal law, this look-back period is five years.
Medicaid will assess your income, assets, and estate during this time period. Any asset transfers or giveaways to friends, family, or other "safe" financial vehicles will count against your Medicaid eligibility.