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Medicaid Planning · Massachusetts

Massachusetts Medicaid look-back rules

Medicaid look-back rules rules for Massachusetts.

Published: September 4, 2026. Last checked: September 5, 2026.

Look-back period

60 months for transfers made on or after February 8, 2006

Source: MassHealth financial-eligibility regulation 130 CMR 520.019 [state-medicaid-agency] — Transmittal by Eligibility Letter 239; revised July 1, 2021

Transfer-penalty divisor

$450 per day

Source: MassHealth 2026 program financial guidelines, January standards [state-medicaid-agency] — Cited annual figures effective January 1, 2026

How the state administers the rule

MassHealth denies payment for nursing-facility and Frail Elder Waiver services during a disqualifying transfer period when resources were transferred for less than fair-market value. The baseline date is the first date the person is both in a nursing facility and has applied for or is receiving MassHealth Standard.

Source: MassHealth financial-eligibility regulation 130 CMR 520.019 [state-medicaid-agency] — Transmittal by Eligibility Letter 239; revised July 1, 2021

Sources

Methodology & sources

Checked at least annually and whenever the state publishes a new transfer-penalty divisor or administration rule.

General information, not legal advice.