A New York appeals court rules that the state should not impose a penalty period on a Medicaid applicant who sold her house for less than one-fifth of its tax assessed value because the price was fair market value based on the property’s condition. Matter of Whittier Health Services, Inc. v. Pospesel (N.Y. App. Div., 3rd Dept., No. 520890, Nov. 25, 2015).
A nursing home applied for Medicaid on behalf of a resident. The state determined that the applicant sold her home for less than market value within the look-back period and assessed a penalty period. Tax assessment records showed the property was valued at $143,511, but the applicant sold the home for $23,122.
The nursing home appealed, arguing that the house was sold for fair market value because it needed significant repairs and was sold to someone who was not related to the applicant. After a hearing, the state affirmed the penalty, and the nursing home appealed to court.
The New York Supreme Court annuls the penalty period based on the sale of the house. According to the court, the evidence shows the sale was an arms-length transaction and "a recent arm's length sale is a more accurate indicator of actual market value of the [applicant's] property than the tax assessment records relied upon by" the state.
For the full text of this decision, go to: https://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/3dseries/2015/2015_08690.htm.
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