Elder Law Answers
Can I Gift My Father Money to Pay His Nursing Home Bills Until the Five-Year Lookback Period Is Over?
- August 27th, 2013
Q
My father gifted some rental real estate to me in the neighborhood of $350,000. I have come across the rules on the five-year lookback for Medicaid. My father has had some health problems in the past but he is doing well for now. If he should need to go into a nursing home before the five-year lookback period has ended, could I gift him the money to pay his nursing home bills until the five-year period has ended and then after the five years has ended, he could apply for Medicaid coverage?
A
Yes. Once five years has passed, Medicaid will no longer consider the gift. If your father is otherwise eligible for benefits and needs coverage, he can then apply without the transfer to you being a problem.