Inaccessible Assets

(A) Definition. An inaccessible asset is an asset to which the applicant or member has no legal access. The MassHealth agency does not count an inaccessible asset when determining eligibility for MassHealth for the period that it is inaccessible or is deemed to be inaccessible under 130 CMR 520.006. (B) Examples of Inaccessible Assets. Inaccessible assets include, but are not limited to (1) property, the ownership of which is the subject of legal proceedings (for example, probate and divorce suits); and (2) the cash-surrender value of life-insurance policies when the policy has been assigned to the issuing company for adjustment. (C) Date of Accessibility. The MassHealth agency considers accessible to the applicant or member all assets to which the applicant or member is legally entitled (1) from the date of application or acquisition, whichever is later, if the applicant or member does not meet the conditions of 130 CMR 520.006(C)(2)(a) or (b); or (2) from the period beginning six months after the date of application or acquisition, whichever is later, if (a) the applicant or member cannot competently represent his or her interests, has no guardian or conservator capable of representing his or her interests, and the authorized representative (which may include a provider) of such applicant or member is making a good-faith effort to secure the appointment of a competent guardian or conservator; or (b) the sole trustee of a Medicaid Qualifying Trust, under 130 CMR 520.022(B), is one whose whereabouts are unknown or who is incapable of competently fulfilling his or her fiduciary duties, and the applicant or member, directly or through an authorized representative (which may include a provider), is making a good-faith effort to contact the missing trustee or to secure the appointment of a competent trustee.