What happens if I sell my house while on Medicaid?

Asked by: Phoebe Wisoky  |  Last update: February 10, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (25 votes)

Doing so is in violation of Medicaid eligibility rules and will likely result in an application denial (a penalty period of ineligibility), or if one is a current Medicaid beneficiary, they would likely lose their benefits. Selling one's home for under fair market value is a violation of Medicaid's Look-Back Period.

Will you lose Medicaid if you sell your house?

When you sell your home. You will be way above the asset limit. (Home is not considered an asset until you die). The money from the sale of a home is considered an asset and you will lose your Medicaid because you have the extra cash. (Unless you have ``some'' terminal illness).

Does selling a house affect Medicare benefits?

The sale of your home could affect your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if it results in a significant capital gain that increases your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) above certain thresholds.

Will I lose my benefits if I sell my house?

As long as what you're receiving is a Social Security benefit and not Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then the fact that you sold your house won't have any effect on your benefits.

What assets are exempt from Medicaid estate recovery rights?

Assets that are generally exempt from Medicaid estate recovery include:
  • Property jointly owned by the decedent (the deceased) and another person.
  • Life insurance proceeds paid directly to a designated named beneficiary.
  • Assets placed in a trust prior to the death of the decedent.

How Does Selling a Home Affect Medicaid? - Weekly Video (B)

27 related questions found

How do I protect my assets from Medicaid look back?

By transferring your assets into an irrevocable trust, you effectively remove them from your ownership, thereby protecting them from Medicaid's asset requirements. However, it's important to note that once assets are transferred to an irrevocable trust, you no longer have control over them.

Do you have to pay back Medicaid if you inherit money?

If the inheritance is modest, or it has been spent down within the month, Medicaid may only deem you ineligible for a certain period of time. It is important to note that depending on when you report the inheritance you may have to pay back the cost of any Medicaid benefits you received during that time.

Will my Social Security be reduced if I sell my house?

“There is no limit on the amount of cash and assets you can have and still be eligible for Social Security benefits, so if you're receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits, then you won't lose those benefits due to selling your home,” he added.

Can I sell my car while on Medicaid?

Selling your car while on Medicaid is possible, but knowing the rules and regulations of your state's Medicaid program is crucial. If your car is considered an exempt asset, you can sell it without affecting your Medicaid eligibility if the proceeds do not exceed the allowable asset limit.

Does owning a home affect Medicare?

Owning a home does not directly affect your Medicare coverage, but it can have implications for your overall financial situation, which may indirectly impact certain aspects of your Medicare Plan.

Do I have to report the sale of my house to Social Security?

You sold your home. Generally, the IRS expects you to report your home sale if you received a 1099-S. if your gain is below $250,000 (500,000 is married) and you meet the other conditions, then all the gain is not eligible for taxation and your tax is zero. your Social security will not be impacted.

Does Medicare go after your house?

However, if there is a probate process in place for their estate then Medicare can try to take those assets as part of that process. It is important to note that if all the owners of a house (or other assets) are on Medicare then the government can take it because it does not belong solely to one person.

What happens if you make too much money while on Medicare?

If you have a higher income, you'll pay an additional premium amount for Medicare Part B and Medicare prescription drug coverage. We call the additional amount the “income-related monthly adjustment amount.”

How can I avoid losing my home to Medicaid?

Medicaid cannot take one's home if they live in it and their home equity interest is under a specified value. In other words, the home is exempt; it is not counted towards Medicaid's asset limit of $2,000 (in most states). Home equity is the home's value after subtracting any debt against it.

Can you own a home while on Medicaid?

Is its it possible to keep my home and avoid Medi-Cal Recovery? Yes, you can. First, your primary residence is an “exempt asset” for purpose of the Medi-Cal eligibility process, meaning your primary residence is not counted as a resource for Medi-Cal qualification because it is an exempt asset.

How to avoid nursing home taking your house?

7 Ways to Protect Your Home From Being Taken
  1. Purchase Long-Term Care Insurance. ...
  2. Sell or Transfer Assets. ...
  3. Create a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust. ...
  4. Choose Home Health Instead. ...
  5. Form a Life Estate. ...
  6. Purchase a Medicaid-Compliant Annuity. ...
  7. Pay With Your Life Insurance Policy.

Can I sell my house while receiving Medicaid?

Note: California stands apart from the other states. CA eliminated their Medicaid (Medi-Cal) asset limit effective 1/1/24. Medi-Cal applicants and beneficiaries can have unlimited assets and still be eligible for Medi-Cal. They could sell their home and it have no impact on their eligibility.

How does Medicaid know your assets?

Required documentation to be provided by the applicant might include checking, savings, money market, credit union, and certificates of deposit (CD) account statements, life insurance policies, deeds or appraisals for one's home and other real estate, copies of stocks and bonds, deeds to burial plots, and copies of pre ...

Can you own a car if you're on Medicaid?

An applicant is allowed to own one car that's not included in your resource limit if it's used for transportation or by another person living in the house, such as a spouse. You also don't have to be the driver of the vehicle. It's important to know that the value of the vehicle doesn't matter.

What happens if I sell my house while on SSI?

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I SELL MY REAL AND/OR PERSONAL PROPERTY? You will have to pay back some or all of the SSI benefits you received while trying to sell the property. You may continue to get SSI benefits.

What happens if you have more than $2000 in the bank on SSI?

If the value of your resources that we count is over the allowable limit at the beginning of the month, you cannot receive SSI for that month. If you decide to sell the excess resources for what they are worth, you may receive SSI beginning the month after you sell the excess resources.

Does Social Security watch your house?

The Social Security Administration does not routinely conduct surveillance on people who file for disability. You shouldn't expect to see a van parked across the street from your office with a private investigator inside, snapping photos through your windows or when you step out to get the mail.

What happens if you win money while on Medicaid?

Winning the lottery generally doesn't require you to pay back Medicaid costs. However, it can affect your eligibility for Medicaid, as eligibility often depends on income levels, which vary by state. You might lose your benefits if your lottery winnings push your income above the Medicaid threshold.

Does the IRS know when you inherit money?

In general, any inheritance you receive does not need to be reported to the IRS. You typically don't need to report inheritance money to the IRS because inheritances aren't considered taxable income by the federal government. That said, earnings made off of the inheritance may need to be reported.

Does Medicaid always do estate recovery?

Estate recovery is required for enrollees ages 55 and older who use LTSS, including enrollees eligible for Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion.