New Jersey Appeals Court Upholds Medicaid Estate Recovery, Impacting Heirs
A New Jersey appeals court has upheld the state's right to recover Medicaid costs from the estate of Philomene Benoit, who received Medicaid-funded care for nearly nine years. After her death, the state filed a lien against her home, which was sold for less than the Medicaid claim. The case highlights the complexities of Medicaid's estate recovery rules, which allow states to recoup costs from the estates of beneficiaries aged 55 and older. This process can affect heirs who might expect to inherit property, as Medicaid can claim assets to cover long-term care expenses. The ruling underscores the financial challenges families face when dealing with Medicaid's estate recovery, which can deplete the inheritance left to beneficiaries. 
