Medicaid Estate Recovery in Vermont: when someone dies

Steps to take

1. Determine whether the deceased received Medicaid long-term care or related services at age 55 or older, or was permanently institutionalized at any age.
2. Contact DVHA Estate Recovery to confirm whether a recovery claim applies to the estate and request the amount.
3. Address the claim as a debt of the estate before distributing assets to heirs.
4. If the homestead is passing to a lineal heir or sibling who meets the income or caregiving standard in 33 V.S.A. § 1906a, raise the homestead exemption with DVHA in writing.