---
title: "What Is Look-back period? Home Care Glossary | HomeCare.com"
description: "The look-back period is the time window Medicaid reviews when someone applies for long-term care coverage. Federal law sets it at 60 months. The state..."
url: https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/look-back-period/
publisher: HomeCare.com
phone: 800-974-3458
start: https://care.homecare.com/?source=homecare.com
---

Paying for care

# Look-back period

The look-back period is the time window Medicaid reviews when someone applies for long-term care coverage. Federal law sets it at 60 months. The state checks for gifts or transfers made for less than fair market value. A transfer in that window can lead to a penalty period with no Medicaid payment for long-term care.

## Why it matters for your family

The window is counted back from the date a person is both in care and has applied for Medicaid. Giving a house or savings to a child during that time can cause a penalty. The length of the penalty depends on the amount given and on state rules. Some transfers have exceptions, and states can waive a penalty for undue hardship. A common mistake is to move assets quickly in a crisis without advice. Paying fair prices for goods and services is not a gift, but records matter. Talk with an elder law attorney before moving any asset.

Source: [medicaid.gov](https://www.medicaid.gov/federal-policy-guidance/downloads/SMD072706b.pdf)

[Read more: What is Elder Law and Do You Need an Elder Care Attorney?](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/paying-for-care/elder-law-attorney/)

## Related terms

-   [**Medicaid planning**Medicaid planning is the legal arrangement of income and assets so a person can meet Medicaid rules for long-term care.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medicaid-planning/)
-   [**Spend down**Spend down is a way to qualify for Medicaid when your income is above the state limit.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/spend-down/)
-   [**Medicaid eligibility**Medicaid eligibility for long-term care depends on need, income, and assets.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medicaid-eligibility/)
-   [**Medicaid estate recovery**Medicaid estate recovery is the process where a state seeks repayment from a deceased Medicaid member's estate.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medicaid-estate-recovery/)
-   [**Elder law attorney**An elder law attorney is a lawyer who focuses on legal issues of older adults.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/elder-law-attorney/)
-   [**Medicaid asset limit**The Medicaid asset limit is the cap on countable assets a person may own and still qualify for Medicaid long-term care.](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/medicaid-asset-limit/)

[All glossary terms](https://homecare.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/)

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