MassHealth Extends 5-Year Lookback to HCBS & PACE Programs in 2026
WORCESTER, Massachusetts – On July 17, 2025, MassHealth announced a significant policy expansion that will extend the traditional 5-year nursing-home lookback to applicants seeking Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) benefits. The change is expected to take effect in spring 2026 and will apply only to new HCBS and PACE applicants, leaving current enrollees unaffected.
This expansion represents one of the most significant shifts in Massachusetts Medicaid policy in recent years. Under the new rule, MassHealth will now review financial transfers made within the past five years, not just for nursing home applicants, but also for individuals seeking to remain safely at home with community-based care.
For many Massachusetts residents, aging at home is the preferred path. HCBS and PACE programs have long served as vital alternatives to nursing home care, helping older adults maintain their independence and dignity. However, the extended lookback means that families must begin planning far earlier to avoid penalties that could delay or jeopardize crucial care.
Attorney Polly Tatum, founder of The Law Office of Polly Tatum, warns that this change raises the stakes for proactive long-term care and asset protection planning.
“Too many families wait until a crisis to think about Medicaid. This expansion makes it critical to start planning years before care is needed,” Tatum says. “Our firm is committed to helping families protect what matters most—preserving assets, securing care options, and maintaining peace of mind throughout each stage of life.”
With over 24 years of experience serving Central Massachusetts families, Polly Tatum brings a deeply personal understanding of multigenerational caregiving, financial complexity, and the emotional weight that families carry when planning for a loved one’s future. Her holistic and empathetic approach complements the firm’s highly personalized estate and elder law services, guiding clients through challenging transitions.
As MassHealth prepares to implement the expanded lookback, families who anticipate future HCBS or PACE needs will benefit from:
Earlier Medicaid planning to avoid disqualifying transfers
Comprehensive estate and asset protection strategies
Guidance on trust planning, spend-down strategies, and permissible transfers
Support navigating evolving long-term care options in Massachusetts
The Law Office of Polly Tatum emphasizes that thoughtful, early planning can spare families from unnecessary stress, unexpected denials, and costly delays, especially as the Commonwealth moves toward stricter eligibility rules.
“Planning ahead is one of the most meaningful ways families can regain control of their lives and their money,” Tatum adds. “Our mission is to help them create a legacy where the wealth they worked so hard for goes to the right people at the right time, without burdening loved ones with avoidable legal challenges.”
As the spring 2026 implementation approaches, Massachusetts residents are encouraged to schedule an initial strategy session to evaluate their options and prepare for the upcoming changes.
For more information about Medicaid planning, estate planning, asset protection, or elder law services, visit: https://www.lawofficeofpollytatum.com.
About The Law Office of Polly Tatum
Estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law, or divorce and elder mediation matters can be incredibly stressful, especially if you don’t know where to start. The Law Office of Polly Tatum has been making life easier for clients and their families since 1997. Our team can help you make the most out of your current situation. We offer services in the following practice areas:
Estate Planning – If you need help creating or updating your will, trust, or other estate planning documents, our team can assist you.
Probate & Trust Administration – When you lose a loved one, the last thing you want to deal with is the legalities of their estate. This is where a probate lawyer can help.
Elder Law – If you want to plan for the future and put a plan in place as you get older, The Law Office of Polly Tatum can help. With a firm that has trained mediators as attorneys, we can help families come to a resolution outside of court.
Divorce & Elder Mediation – The Law Office of Polly Tatum has attorneys that are trained mediators and can help you and your spouse come to a resolution outside of court.
The Law Office of Polly Tatum has helped clients put together effective estate plans that help them plan out a better future for their families. Our team is focused solely on enhancing the lives of our clients and their families. By addressing your issues using cutting-edge strategies, The Law Office of Polly Tatum can guide you to pursue your estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law, or divorce and elder mediation needs.
If you’re ready to take the next steps towards a new future, look no further than The Law Office of Polly Tatum to guide you. Call us today at (508) 795-1557 or visit our office in Worcester, MA to get started.
