Medicaid Estate Recovery in Connecticut: when someone dies
A 4-step process for Connecticut Department of Social Services — Medicaid Estate Recovery after a death in Connecticut.
Administering agency
Connecticut Department of Social Services — Medicaid Estate Recovery
Authority
Conn. Gen. Stat. 17b-95; 17b-93
Steps to take
- 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.
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 (6 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Connecticut Department of Social Services — Medicaid Estate Recovery
Authority
Conn. Gen. Stat. 17b-95; 17b-93