Short answer
Sometimes not. The Pennsylvania DHS page says the home is exempt from countable resources if its value is $752,000 or less and the person intends to return or lives there, or if a spouse or dependent lives in it. Once the house is sold, the cash proceeds are generally resources to be reviewed.
The home exemption
The DHS page on Medicaid and long-term care payment says the home is not counted as a resource when its value is no more than $752,000 and the person either intends to return to it or lives in it, or when a spouse or dependent lives there. Confirm that figure on the current page, since it can change. It is the number on the page we reviewed.
What happens when the house is sold
A sale turns the house into cash. The DHS page does not say the cash is exempt, and resource limits for Medicaid are low. Because the look-back covers assets transferred, sold or given away in the past 60 months, the county will review where the money goes. Do not give the proceeds to relatives without legal advice.
Intent to return
The page ties the exemption to intent to return home or to residence there. If a parent in a nursing home has no realistic plan to return and no spouse or dependent lives in the house, ask an elder law attorney how that status is judged. The county decides, and facts matter.
Questions to ask
Ask how the proceeds should be held, who has authority to sell, whether a power of attorney covers real estate and whether the sale affects benefits. This page is general information and not legal advice. A Pennsylvania elder law attorney can advise before you list.
Selling for cash instead
Families dealing with care costs sometimes need a house sold on a clear date. You can also ask Kaizen Home Buyers for a cash offer. We buy as-is, with no repairs and no agent commission, make offers within 24 hours and close in 14 to 30 days or on the date you set. Reach us at 267-329-0084.