In short: New York passed a law in 2020 to add a 30-month look-back for Medicaid community-based long-term care (home care and similar services). It needs federal approval, and the state's own page still says the earliest it would seek to start is March 31, 2024. As of September 28, 2026, we found no announced start date. Today, HRA's own form asks for resource proof for the current month only when you add home care, and for the past 60 months for nursing home care.
Last checked September 28, 2026, against the Department of Health's 30-month look-back waiver page and HRA form MAP-751W (07/14/2025). This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules like this can change, and a start date could be announced later.
What a look-back is
A look-back is a period before your Medicaid application when Medicaid checks whether you gave away money or property (or sold it for less than it was worth). If you did, Medicaid can impose a penalty period, when it will not pay for the long-term care you applied for.
Federal law already sets a 60-month (five-year) look-back for nursing home Medicaid. The DOH page says this. The open question in New York is only about care at home.
What New York passed, and where it stands
| Item | What the state's page says |
|---|---|
| The law | A state law change on April 2, 2020, to apply transfer rules to community-based long-term care (CBLTC). |
| Length | 30 months, instead of the federal 60, for people applying for CBLTC at home. |
| Approval | The state must get federal approval through its Medicaid waiver and a State Plan Amendment. |
| Start date | The state first aimed for January 1, 2021. Because of federal pandemic-era rules, "the earliest date that the State will seek implementation is March 31, 2024." |
| Phase-in | The state said it would phase it in, not apply a full 30-month review on day one. |
We checked on September 28, 2026 and found no announcement of an actual start date on the DOH page. That is why current forms still only ask for this month's resources for home care. If that changes, the start date and any phase-in will matter a lot, so check before you move any money.
What HRA asks for today (NYC)
HRA's form MAP-751W (revised July 14, 2025) is what NYC Medicaid cases use to "upgrade" coverage to include personal care or other community-based long-term care. Under proof of resources it says:
- Community-based long-term care: "Resource documents for the current month only."
- Nursing home: "Resource documents for the past 60 months."
Outside NYC, ask your county Department of Social Services what proof it needs. Our guide to HRA vs county offices explains who handles home care applications.
Step by step: what to do now
- Do not move or give away money just because of the look-back you read about online. Many articles describe rules that have not started.
- Gather this month's statements for every account: bank, savings, CDs, and any investments.
- If you are thinking about a nursing home in the future, keep five years of statements. The 60-month look-back applies there.
- Talk to a lawyer before any big transfer. Free legal services or an elder law attorney can check the rules on the day you act.
- Recheck the DOH look-back page before you apply. If a start date is announced, it will change what you need.
- Apply for Medicaid home care the usual way. See our home care guide.
Common mistakes
- Treating the 30-month home care look-back as already in effect, or as never coming.
- Mixing up home care and nursing home rules. The 60-month look-back is for nursing homes.
- Giving money to children to "beat" the look-back without legal advice. If a look-back starts later, those transfers could count.
- Relying on a law firm blog instead of the state's page and your local office.
Free public numbers used in this post
- NY ConnectsLong-term services and supports. Relay 7-1-11-800-342-9871
- HIICAP (free Medicare counseling)Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; say your county1-800-701-0501
- New York Independent Assessor ProgramTTY 1-888-329-1541; Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m.; Sat, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.1-855-222-8350
- New York Medicaid ChoiceLong-term care line 1-888-401-6582; TTY 1-888-329-15411-800-505-5678
- NYC HRA Medicaid HelplineHome Care Services Program via DSS OneNumber 718-557-13991-888-692-6116
- NYC Aging ConnectIn-home services 60+; HIICAP appointments212-244-6469
- MedicareTTY 1-877-486-20481-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
These free public lines can also help. They do not sell anything.
Next step
Want help with this? Get free one-on-one guidance.
If you are planning for Medicaid home care and want to know what to gather first, start with our short form. At the end you can ask for free one-on-one guidance. It is optional, and it is not legal advice.
You can also call NY Connects free at 1-800-342-9871 or HIICAP at 1-800-701-0501. Free, any age, on Medicaid or not. They do not sell services.
Sources
Official pages checked September 23, 2026. Your own notice and current official guidance control if anything here differs.
- NYS DOH, MRT Waiver amendment: 30-Month Lookback for Community Based Long Term Care Services: https://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/redesign/mrt2/proposals/30-month_lookback-final.htm
- NYC HRA, MAP-751W Consumer/Provider Request to Change Information on File (07/14/2025) (upgrade to CBLTC: current-month resources; NH: 60 months): https://www.nyc.gov/assets/hra/downloads/pdf/services/health/MAP-751W.pdf
Questions people ask
Is there a look-back for Medicaid home care in New York?
How many years is the Medicaid look-back in New York?
When will the 30-month look-back start?
Can I give money to my children before applying for home care?
What bank statements does HRA need for home care?
Next step
Want a written summary of which path matches what you described?
A few short questions and a way to reach you. It is held by this site only, never sent to any plan or agency, and does not decide eligibility or hours.
You can also call NY Connects free at 1-800-342-9871 or HIICAP at 1-800-701-0501. Free, any age, on Medicaid or not. They do not sell services.