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Medicaid Planning · Massachusetts

Massachusetts Medicaid estate recovery

Medicaid estate recovery rules for Massachusetts.

Published: Not yet published. Last checked: September 2, 2026.

Recovery scope

For deaths on or after August 1, 2024, recovery is limited to federally required nursing-facility, HCBS, and related hospital and prescription services received at age 55 or older, plus the federally required permanently institutionalized category.

Source: MassHealth estate-recovery overview [state-medicaid-agency] — Service-scope rules apply to deaths on or after August 1, 2024 Additional authority: Massachusetts General Laws chapter 118E, section 31 [state-legislature] — Current statute amended effective June 12, 2026

Controlling authority

Massachusetts General Laws chapter 118E, section 31

Source: Massachusetts General Laws chapter 118E, section 31 [state-legislature] — Current statute amended effective June 12, 2026

Exemptions and deferrals

Recovery waits until there is no surviving spouse and no surviving child under 21 or blind or disabled.

Source: Massachusetts General Laws chapter 118E, section 31 [state-legislature] — Current statute amended effective June 12, 2026 Additional authority: MassHealth estate-recovery overview [state-medicaid-agency] — Service-scope rules apply to deaths on or after August 1, 2024

Hardship-waiver path

Source unavailable. Check with the state Medicaid agency.

State Medicaid agency

Lien practice

Source unavailable. Check with the state Medicaid agency.

State Medicaid agency

Sources and update policy

Methodology & sources

Checked at least annually and whenever recovery statutes, waivers, liens, or agency practices change.

This page is educational and is not legal advice.