Medicaid 5-Year Lookback Estimator
When you apply for Medicaid long-term care, the state reviews all financial transactions from the past 5 years (60 months). Gifts or asset transfers made below fair market value during this period create a "penalty period" — months during which you must pay for care yourself before Medicaid kicks in. This calculator estimates that penalty period based on transfers you report.
Estimated Penalty Period
What's Exempt from the Lookback?
✓ Transfers to a spouse
✓ Transfers to a disabled child (any age) or blind child
✓ Transfer of home to a caregiver child (lived there 2+ years providing care)
✓ Transfers to a sibling with equity interest in the home
✓ Small gift annual exclusion transfers (some states allow)
✗ Gifts to adult children (even for college or wedding)
✗ Charitable donations above nominal amounts
✗ Selling assets for less than fair market value
✓ Transfers to a disabled child (any age) or blind child
✓ Transfer of home to a caregiver child (lived there 2+ years providing care)
✓ Transfers to a sibling with equity interest in the home
✓ Small gift annual exclusion transfers (some states allow)
✗ Gifts to adult children (even for college or wedding)
✗ Charitable donations above nominal amounts
✗ Selling assets for less than fair market value