An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you know**Official websites use .gov**A
              **.gov** website belongs to an official government
              organization in the United States.
        **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**A
              **lock** (
              Locked padlock icon) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Skip to contentSkip to navigation Help and Support A - Z Browse Search
 Basic NeedsUnderstanding Long-Term CareWhat is Long-Term Care?Long-Term Care PathfinderWho Needs Care?How Much Care Will You Need?Who Will Provide Your Care?Where Can You Receive Care?Finding Local ServicesWho is in Charge? Radio PSAsCosts & Who PaysOverviewWho Pays for Long-Term Care?Costs of CareWhat is Covered by Health & Disability Insurance?What is Long-Term Care Insurance?Paying PrivatelyMedicare, Medicaid & MoreOverviewMedicareMedicaidVeterans Affairs BenefitsOther State ProgramsHousingWhere You Live MattersStaying in Your HomeLiving in a FacilityLegal StepsHow to DecideAdvance Care Plan ConsiderationsWill I Need a Lawyer?Legal Steps for Medical Well-beingLegal Steps for Financial Well-being
 Welcome to
LongTermCare.gov
 Home
          LTC Home
          Medicare, Medicaid & More
          Medicaid
          Medicaid Estate Recovery Medicaid Estate Recovery
 Medicare, Medicaid & More
  

        - Left Nav -

    Overview
                          Medicare
                                
                
        Medicaid
          
                                  State Medicaid Programs
                          Medicaid Eligibility
                          Applying for Medicaid
                          Medicaid Estate Recovery
                          Medicaid Long-term Care Services
                                Veterans Affairs Benefits
                          Other State Programs If you receive Medicaid coverage for long-term care services, federal law requires states to recover the amount Medicaid spent on your behalf from your estate after you die. Your state's probate law generally defines what an estate includes, but for the most part it includes all of the real and personal property you own when you die, such as your home and other assets. The state is required to recover the cost of long-term care services, including nursing home care and home and community-based services. But, states can choose to recover the cost of all the services Medicaid paid for if they wish to do so.
Estate recovery happens after the death of a Medicaid recipient who was either permanently institutionalized or age 55 and older when he or she received Medicaid services. Some estates are exempt from estate recovery. For example, if your spouse is still alive, your estate is exempt from recovery. In these cases, states may recover from the spouse's estate after his or her death. Your heirs can also seek a hardship waiver from estate recovery.

                    *Last modified on 02/18/2020*
 Back to TopSite Support
  

        
      Home
                      Accessibility
                      Disclaimers
                      Contact Us
                      Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
                      Privacy Policy
                      Site Map
                      Viewers & Players
                      Vulnerability Disclosure PolicyOther ACL Sites
  

        
      Disability Assistance and Information Line
                      Eldercare Locator
                      ElderJustice.acl.gov
                      LongTermCare.gov
                      OlderIndians.govRelated Sites
  

        
      Grants.gov
                      HHS.gov
                      No Fear Act
                      Plain Writing (on HHS.gov)
                      USA.gov
                      WhiteHouse.gov
                      Vote.govSign up for ACL updates
Receive important announcements, events, and resources via email.
Subscribe
      This is an official U.S. government website managed by the
        U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.