Lookback Period (Archive)

The lookback period is a specific period of time before either

l  The date a person requests MA payment of long-term care (LTC) services.

l  The date of application for GAMC.

Evaluate all transfers made during the lookback period to determine if the transfer was uncompensated and whether a transfer penalty applies.

MinnesotaCare and GHO.

GAMC.

MA.

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MinnesotaCare and GHO

There are no transfer provisions for MinnesotaCare or GHO.

GAMC

The lookback period is 60 months before application for all transfers. Evaluate all transfers made during the lookback period, while the application is pending or while GAMC is active.

Example:

Reggie applies for health care today. On his application, Reggie indicates he gave $10,000 to his daughter three years ago this month to help her with a down payment on a house. Earlier today, before he applied, he gave his daughter another $200 to help her pay her electric bill. He currently has $500 in counted assets.

Action:

Reggie’s worker determines that he is eligible for GAMC. The worker must review the transfers.

l  The first transfer occurred 35 months prior to the month of application. The transfer is within the GAMC lookback period, and since GAMC does not have any transfer exceptions, the transfer must be evaluated for a transfer penalty.

l  The second transfer must also be evaluated for a possible transfer penalty because it occurred during the month of application.

Example:

Georgia sends in her renewal for GAMC. She reports on the renewal that she no longer owns her house. The worker contacts Georgia to find out whether she sold the house. Georgia reports to the worker that she gave the house, which had a FMV of $14,000, to a local charity that plans to fix it up for the purpose of giving it to another family.

Action:

The worker must evaluate the transfer because it took place while GAMC was active.

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MA

There are two lookback periods:

l  36 months for all transfers other than transfers to a trust.

Note:  The lookback period for these types of transfers will gradually be increased to 60 months beginning in February 2009.

l  60 months for transfers to a trust.

Also evaluate transfers made in the month of application or while a person is receiving MA payment of LTC services.

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