---
title: "Tennessee Medicaid Look-Back Period & 2026 Penalty Divisor"
url: https://fundingltcmarketplace.com/states/tennessee/medicaid-look-back-period/
description: "TennCare reviews 60 months of transfers for less than fair market value. How the 2026 daily penalty divisor of $295.87 turns a gift into a penalty period."
last_updated: 2026-10-20
author: George A. Mellendorf, CLTC, LTCP (Central States Insurance Services, Inc.)
publisher: Funding LTC Marketplace
note: Educational content; not legal, tax or financial advice. Markdown copy of the HTML page at the URL above.
---
Tennessee · Look-Back & Penalties

# Tennessee Medicaid Look-Back Period

Last updated 2026-10-20

**Quick answer:** TennCare reviews asset transfers made in the 60 months (5 years) before the look-back date. Transfers for less than fair market value can cause a period of ineligibility for long-term care.

TennCare's transfer policy, current as of January 5, 2026, applies a 60-month look-back to resource transfers made on or after February 8, 2006. The look-back date gets fixed at the point someone first applies while institutionalized, or first meets home- and community-based-services requirements — and it doesn't reset just because there's a later application or a new eligibility period.

What TennCare is actually looking for is any transfer made for less than fair-market value. The state defines the uncompensated value as the asset's equity value minus whatever the individual received in return, and finding an uncompensated transfer can make an otherwise-eligible person ineligible for payment of long-term services and supports.

## Tennessee figures

- Look-back period: 60 months

## Questions and answers

### How long is the Tennessee Medicaid look-back period?

60 months, for transfers made on or after February 8, 2006.

### When does the look-back start?

It's set when a person first applies while in an institution, or first meets home- and community-based services requirements. A later application doesn't reset it.

### What is TennCare looking for?

Transfers for less than fair market value. The uncompensated value is the asset's equity value minus what the person got in return.

## Sources and official resources

- [TennCare: CHOICES](https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/long-term-services-supports/choices.html)
- [U.S. Code: 42 U.S.C. § 1396p (liens, estate recovery, transfers of assets, Partnership disregard)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1396p)

Rules and figures change. Confirm current details with the agency before you act.

[← Back to the full Tennessee guide](https://fundingltcmarketplace.com/states/tennessee/)