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Medicaid Planning · Washington

Washington Medicaid estate recovery

Medicaid estate recovery rules for Washington.

Published: September 5, 2026. Last checked: September 5, 2026.

Recovery scope

Washington uses an expanded estate definition that reaches probate and specified nonprobate interests, subject to the service-related and asset-related limits in chapter 182-527 WAC.

Source: Washington Administrative Code estate-recovery rules [state-medicaid-agency] — Page revised April 23, 2026; estate definition effective August 26, 2025 Additional authority: Washington Administrative Code 182-527-2742 [state-medicaid-agency] — Effective December 3, 2025 Additional authority: Washington Administrative Code 182-527-2746 [state-medicaid-agency] — Effective March 14, 2016

Controlling authority

Washington Administrative Code chapter 182-527

Source: Washington Administrative Code estate-recovery rules [state-medicaid-agency] — Page revised April 23, 2026; estate definition effective August 26, 2025

Exemptions and deferrals

Recovery is deferred or barred for protected surviving spouses and children, and the rules exclude specified American Indian and Alaska Native property, government reparation payments, and protected long-term-care partnership assets.

Source: Washington Administrative Code 182-527-2738 [state-medicaid-agency] — Effective March 14, 2016 Additional authority: Washington Administrative Code 182-527-2746 [state-medicaid-agency] — Effective March 14, 2016

Hardship-waiver path

An heir may request a delay of recovery for undue hardship under the eligibility criteria, notice, documentation, and review process in WAC 182-527-2750.

Source: Washington Administrative Code 182-527-2750 [state-medicaid-agency] — Effective March 14, 2016

Lien practice

Washington may use property liens and probate creditor claims after death, with notice and lien procedures governed by WAC 182-527-2738.

Source: Washington Administrative Code 182-527-2738 [state-medicaid-agency] — Effective March 14, 2016

Sources

Methodology & sources

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

General information, not legal advice.