Look-Back Period Checker

What Is the Look-Back Period?

When you apply for nursing home Medicaid in Tennessee, the state looks back at your financial records for the past 5 years (60 months). They are checking to see if you gave away, sold for less than fair value, or transferred any assets during that time.

The reason for this rule is to prevent people from giving away their money or property right before applying for Medicaid in order to qualify. If they find transfers that were not for fair market value, they may impose a penalty period — a stretch of time during which Medicaid will not pay for your nursing home care.

This does not mean the transfer was illegal. It means Medicaid assumes you could have used those assets to pay for care, so they make you wait before coverage begins.

Check Your Transfers

Exempt Transfers (No Penalty)

The following types of transfers do NOT trigger a penalty, even if made within the look-back period:

• Transfers to your spouse — You can transfer any amount to your spouse without penalty.
• Transfers to a disabled child — Assets transferred to a child who is blind or permanently disabled are exempt.
• Transfer of home to a caregiver child — If your child lived in your home for at least 2 years before your nursing home admission AND provided care that delayed your need for institutional care.
• Transfer of home to a sibling — If your sibling has an equity interest in the home and lived there for at least 1 year before your admission.
• Transfer of home to a child under 21 — Your home can be transferred to a minor child without penalty.
• Transfers where you received fair market value — If you sold something for what it was worth, there is no penalty.
• Transfers that were exclusively for a purpose other than qualifying for Medicaid — This can be difficult to prove, but it is a defense.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Giving money to family "to help them out" — Even well-intentioned gifts count as transfers and can trigger penalties.
• Adding a child's name to your bank account or property deed — This can be considered a transfer of half the value.
• Selling your home to a child below market value — The difference between the sale price and fair market value counts as a transfer.
• Paying a family member for caregiving without a written agreement — Without a caregiver contract in place before the payments, these may be seen as gifts.
• Thinking the look-back only applies to large transfers — All transfers are reviewed, no matter how small. They add up.
• Assuming the look-back starts when you enter a nursing home — The look-back period is calculated from the date you apply for Medicaid, not when you enter the facility.