What is a "lookback"?

Divestments can subject you to a penalty period for Medicaid eligibility, rendering you ineligible for benefits for a set amount of time.  Only gifts made during the Medicaid “lookback” period of time will count as a divestment that incurs a penalty period.  The lookback period is a specific amount of time (usually years) set by your state; any gift you make during this period can be counted a s a divestment.  Carefully planning your divestments to minimize or eliminate the Medicaid penalty period you incur is one of the most important skills your advisors can provide.