Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts in Missouri

Nursing home care can quickly use up a lifetime of savings. A Medicaid asset protection trust (MAPT) lets you move assets out of your name in advance, so they can be preserved for your family if you later need long-term care through MO HealthNet, Missouri’s Medicaid program.

How a MAPT Works

You transfer assets into an irrevocable trust and name a trustee other than yourself to manage them. The trust can be set up to pay you its income during your lifetime, but you generally give up access to the principal. After the look-back period passes, those assets are no longer counted as yours for Medicaid eligibility.

The Five-Year Look-Back

MO HealthNet reviews transfers made in the 60 months before you apply. Assets moved into a trust within that window can trigger a penalty period of ineligibility. That’s why a MAPT works best when it’s created well before care is needed.

Is a MAPT Right for You?

A MAPT may make sense if you:

• Want to preserve your home or savings for your children.
• Are in good health now and planning more than five years ahead.
• Can live on your income and other assets without the money placed in the trust.

It may not fit if you may need the principal for your own expenses or need care soon.