Medicaid Estate Recovery in District of Columbia

Medicaid Estate Recovery in District of Columbia: key facts

Administering agency

DC Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF), the single state Medicaid agency for the District of Columbia.

Who is subject

Federal law (42 U.S.C. 1396p(b)) requires the District to recover, at a minimum, nursing facility, home and community-based, and related hospital and prescription drug costs paid for Medicaid recipients who were 55 or older when the services were provided, and for recipients who were permanently institutionalized at any age.

Recovery deferred

Under federal law, recovery is deferred while there is a surviving spouse, a surviving child under 21, or a surviving child of any age who is blind or permanently and totally disabled.

Hardship waiver

The District must establish procedures to waive recovery when it would cause undue hardship. Contact DHCF to request the hardship waiver application and current criteria.

Frequently asked questions