Medicaid Estate Recovery in Connecticut
Connecticut Medicaid (HUSKY Health) is administered by the Department of Social Services. When a Medicaid beneficiary dies, the state has a claim against the estate for amounts it is required to recover under federal law — chiefly long-term care paid for recipients who were 55 or older and for recipients who were permanently institutionalized. Estate collection is handled by the Department of Administrative Services Collections Recovery Unit.
Administering agency
Connecticut Department of Social Services — Medicaid Estate Recovery
Authority
Conn. Gen. Stat. 17b-95; 17b-93; 45a-273
Medicaid Estate Recovery in Connecticut: key facts
- Recovery scope
- On and after July 1, 2022, the state recovers only what federal law requires (Conn. Gen. Stat. 17b-93(a)) — generally long-term care and related services for recipients 55 or older and for recipients permanently institutionalized at any age.
- Claim against the estate
- The state has a claim for Medicaid amounts paid for which it has not been reimbursed, but only to the extent estate proceeds are not needed for the support of a surviving spouse, parent, or dependent children (Conn. Gen. Stat. 17b-95(a)).
- Claim priority
- The state claim has priority over unsecured claims except last-illness expenses up to $375, funeral and burial expenses, and administrative expenses including probate fees, taxes, and limited fiduciary fees (Conn. Gen. Stat. 17b-95(b)).
- Funds held for a deceased recipient
- DAS guidance to a conservator or other person holding a deceased recipient's funds: if DAS has not notified you of its appointment as legal representative of the estate within three years of the death, the funds are presumed abandoned and you follow the holder duties in Conn. Gen. Stat. 3-65a (turning the funds over to the State Treasurer as unclaimed property).
- Small estates (affidavit route)
- A Connecticut small estate settled by affidavit under Conn. Gen. Stat. 45a-273 — up to $40,000 of solely owned personal property and no solely owned Connecticut real property — must state whether the decedent received aid or care from the state. The Probate Court sends a copy of the affidavit to the Department of Administrative Services and may not issue a decree until thirty days after it does, and any state reimbursement is determined under Conn. Gen. Stat. 4a-12 and 17b-95.
- Estate collection contact
- Department of Administrative Services, Collections Recovery Unit: 860-713-5400.
Governing law: Conn. Gen. Stat. 17b-95; 17b-93; 45a-273
Steps to take when someone dies
- Determine whether the deceased received Medicaid (HUSKY) long-term care or related assistance at age 55 or older, or while permanently institutionalized.
- Notify the Department of Social Services of the death and report any estate funds being held.
- DSS investigates and, if liability is owed, refers the case to the Department of Administrative Services Collections Recovery Unit, which may apply to become legal representative of the estate.
- Address the state claim as a debt of the estate, in its statutory priority, before distributing assets to heirs.
- If the estate qualifies as a small estate under Conn. Gen. Stat. 45a-273, state on the affidavit whether the decedent received aid or care from the state; the Probate Court sends the affidavit to the Department of Administrative Services and cannot issue a decree for thirty days after doing so.
Connecticut Department of Social Services — Medicaid Estate Recovery
Phone: 1-855-626-6632
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
No. On and after July 1, 2022, Connecticut recovers only what federal law requires — primarily long-term care and related services paid for recipients who were 55 or older and for recipients who were permanently institutionalized. The claim applies only to the extent estate proceeds are not needed for the support of a surviving spouse, parent, or dependent children.
The Department of Social Services administers HUSKY Health and determines whether a recovery claim applies. Estate collection is carried out by the Department of Administrative Services Collections Recovery Unit (860-713-5400), which may apply to become legal representative of the estate to collect the amount owed.
Under Conn. Gen. Stat. 17b-95(b), the state claim has priority over unsecured claims except expenses of last illness up to $375, funeral and burial expenses, and administrative expenses such as probate fees, taxes, and limited fiduciary fees.
Sources
Data sourced from Medicaid Estate Recovery in Connecticut primary sources (7 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Connecticut Department of Social Services — Medicaid Estate Recovery
Authority
Conn. Gen. Stat. 17b-95; 17b-93; 45a-273