The High Cost of Care
Assisted living facilities in Arkansas and Missouri typically cost between $4,000–$7,000 per month, while nursing homes can run even higher. When you or your spouse need care for an extended period, it's easy to see how a lifetime of savings can disappear in just a few years.
While Medicaid can help cover long-term care costs, it comes with strict income and asset limits. And that's where many people run into trouble.
"Will I Have to Sell My House to Qualify for Medicaid?"
Not necessarily — but without a proper plan, your home may be vulnerable either now or later.
🎥 Watch: Can Medicaid really take your home after you pass away? This 45-second video explains what most families don’t find out until it’s too late — and how a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) can protect what you’ve worked for.
Find Out If a MAPT Is Right for You
Here's how it works:
- Medicaid may not count your home as an asset while you're alive, but...
- After your passing, the state can attempt to recover costs paid for your care by placing a claim against your estate — including your home.
- This is called estate recovery, and it can force your family to sell the house just to pay the bill.
In other words, the nursing home doesn't take your house — but the state can, if no protections are in place.
How a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust (MAPT) Can Help
A MAPT is a type of irrevocable trust specifically designed to protect your assets — including your home — while still allowing you to qualify for Medicaid when the time comes.
By transferring your home into a MAPT at least five years before applying for Medicaid, you can:
- Keep your home from being counted as a Medicaid asset
- Avoid estate recovery after your death
- Preserve your legacy for your spouse or children
- Still live in and enjoy your home for the rest of your life
It's a powerful planning tool — but it has to be done in advance. Timing is everything.
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
If you wait until you're already facing long-term care needs, many of the best planning options may no longer be available. Medicaid planning is most effective when it's done early, ideally while you're still healthy and independent.
The good news? You don't need to figure this out alone. With the right guidance, you can create a plan that protects your assets, preserves your home, and ensures you're prepared for whatever the future brings.
Worried about long-term care and protecting what you've worked for?
Let's talk about your options — and how you can keep your home in the family.
This post is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Estate planning strategies depend on individual circumstances and state laws.
