Massachusetts Medicaid Look-Back Period

For any transfer made on or after February 8, 2006, Massachusetts runs a look-back period that generally stretches 60 months. Under 130 CMR 520.000, that clock starts on the first day someone is simultaneously a nursing-facility resident and an applicant for, or recipient of, MassHealth Standard.

Within that review window, MassHealth can refuse to pay for an otherwise-eligible resident's nursing-facility care if that resident — or their spouse — gave away countable resources for less than they were worth, unless a recognized permissible-transfer, exception, or exemption covers the transaction. It's worth noting that this kind of denial only blocks payment for nursing-facility services; it doesn't wipe out eligibility for other MassHealth benefits.