Transfer of Assets and Florida Medicaid

Assets transferred for less than fair market value result in a disqualification period from Medicaid benefits.

Important Florida Medicaid Facts

• Florida Medicaid says that the average cost of nursing home care is $5,000.

• Florida Medicaid look back period is 36 months, increasing to 60 months.

• Penalty period starts when the Medicaid applicant is otherwise qualified.

• A Medicaid application must be submitted and turned down because of the transfers.

Divide the amount of the transfer by the average cost of nursing home care as determined by the State of Florida.

If the transfer amount is $50,000:

Transfer amount	÷	Average cost of nursing home	=	Months of disqualification
$50,000	÷	$5,000	=	10

Look back Period
When applying for Medicaid benefits in Florida, the question is asked:  Have there been any transfers for less than value by the Medicaid applicant in the past 36 months (increasing to 60 months)?

In the $50,000 example above, the Medicaid applicant is in the nursing home, available assets and income under the limits. An Medicaid application is made and denied because of the transfers.  That starts the disqualification period.  The Medicaid applicant will have to private pay for the next 10 months and make a second application in the 11th month.