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Medicaid Planning · Missouri

Missouri Medicaid estate recovery

Medicaid estate recovery rules for Missouri.

Published: September 4, 2026. Last checked: September 2, 2026.

Recovery scope

A probate-estate claim: medical assistance is a debt of the decedent's estate, collection proceeds under Missouri probate law, and an enrolled decedent's estate requires a MO HealthNet release before closing.

Source: Missouri Revised Statutes section 473.398 [state-statute] — Effective August 28, 2018

Controlling authority

Missouri Revised Statutes sections 473.398 and 208.215

Source: Missouri Revised Statutes section 473.398 [state-statute] — Effective August 28, 2018 Additional authority: Missouri Revised Statutes section 208.215 [state-statute] — Effective August 28, 2026

Exemptions and deferrals

A claim is barred when collection cost exceeds the claim or collection would adversely affect reasonable care and support of a surviving spouse or dependents.

Source: Missouri Revised Statutes section 473.398 [state-statute] — Effective August 28, 2018

Hardship-waiver path

Missouri's supported exceptions address excessive collection cost and adverse effects on a surviving spouse's or dependents' reasonable care and support; no broader standalone hardship test is asserted.

Source: Missouri Revised Statutes section 473.398 [state-statute] — Effective August 28, 2018

Lien practice

A TEFRA lien may secure recovery from certain permanently institutionalized participants after notice and hearing, subject to protected-relative exceptions; discharge and return home cause removal.

Source: Missouri Revised Statutes section 208.215 [state-statute] — Effective August 28, 2026

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.