Minnesota reviews five years — 60 months — of financial history before someone applies for nursing-home-level MA coverage. DHS tells applicants plainly that neither they nor a spouse may give away assets or income without getting fair value in return during that window if they expect MA to pick up nursing-home costs. The state's transfer statute backs this up, applying specifically to any transfer made for less than fair market value.
This isn't a gift-tax review — it's broader than that. A reviewable transfer can be an outright gift, a sale at a discount, a partial-interest deal, money moved into a trust, or virtually any disposal below fair value. Because ownership history, timing, valuation, what was paid, and the purpose of the transfer all matter, families are well advised to hang onto deeds, appraisals, account statements, contracts, and proof of payment well before an application is ever filed.
The most recently verified figure used in penalty calculations sits at $11,653 per month, effective as of July 1, 2025, with the state recalculating this rate each July 1.