---
title: "Washington Medicaid Look-Back Period | Funding LTC Marketplace"
url: https://fundingltcmarketplace.com/states/washington/medicaid-look-back-period/
description: "Washington’s 60-month transfer review and day-based penalty calculation using the applicable private-pay nursing-facility cost."
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.
---
Washington · Look-Back & Penalties

# Washington Medicaid Look-Back Period

Last updated 2026-10-20

**Quick answer:** Washington Medicaid reviews transfers made in the 60 months before the month a person was institutionalized and applied for long-term care. A transfer for less than fair market value can cause a penalty period for institutional or waiver care.

Washington looks back 60 months — the five years before the month someone became institutionalized, or would have but for a penalty, and applied for long-term care. The state also keeps reviewing any transfers made during or after that month once someone has attained institutional status.

That review can knock out institutional or waiver eligibility. If the applicant, a spouse, or someone acting on either one's behalf gave away an asset for less than it was worth during the review window, a penalty period can follow unless an exception or specific proof carves out an exemption.

## Washington figures

- Look-back period: 60 months

## Sources and official resources

- [Washington DSHS: Getting Started with Long-Term Care](https://www.dshs.wa.gov/adult-and-aging-services/getting-started-long-term-care)
- [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 Washington guide](https://fundingltcmarketplace.com/states/washington/)