New Hampshire Medicaid Application: Step-by-Step Process for Long-Term Care

Filing a Medicaid application for long-term care in New Hampshire is nothing like applying for regular health insurance Medicaid. The financial documentation requirements are exhaustive, the clinical evaluation runs on a separate track, and one missing bank statement can stall the entire process for weeks. Here's exactly how the application works.

Before You File: The Two Prerequisites

The Medicaid long-term care application has two parallel tracks that must both be satisfied:

Track 1 — Clinical eligibility. Your parent must be assessed as needing a Nursing Facility Level of Care. This assessment is conducted by a registered nurse from the Bureau of Adult and Aging Services and is initiated through ServiceLink (1-866-634-9412). The nurse evaluates your parent's ability to perform six Activities of Daily Living and determines whether they meet the clinical threshold.

Track 2 — Financial eligibility. This is what the application itself covers. The Bureau of Family Assistance (BFA) determines whether your parent's income and assets fall within the allowed limits: under $2,982 monthly income (or eligible for the Medically Needy spend-down) and under $7,500 in countable assets after the state's resource disregard.

Both tracks must be satisfied for approval. You can and should start them simultaneously.

The Required Documents

The BFA requires five years of financial history for new applicants. This is the 60-month lookback period — the state is checking for any asset transfers or gifts that could trigger a penalty. Gather these before you file:

• 60 months of bank statements for every account your parent holds or has held — checking, savings, money market, CDs
• Property deeds for any real estate owned during the lookback period
• Federal tax returns for the past five years
• Proof of all income sources — Social Security award letters, pension statements, annuity contracts, rental income documentation
• Health insurance premium documentation — Medicare Part B, Medigap, Part D premiums
• Life insurance policies — including the current cash surrender value for any whole life policies
• IRA and 401(k) statements — these are counted as assets in New Hampshire
• Vehicle titles (one vehicle is exempt)
• Funeral and burial pre-payment contracts (these are exempt if irrevocable)
• A copy of any Durable Power of Attorney authorizing you to act on your parent's behalf
• Clinical MEA consent forms from the ServiceLink referral

Filing Through NH EASY

Submit BFA Form 800 ("Application for Assistance") through the NH EASY portal at nheasy.nh.gov. Electronic submission gives you an immediate timestamp and tracking capability, which matters because the state is federally mandated to process applications within 45 days of receipt.

If you're filing on behalf of your parent, you'll also need BFA Form 778 (Authorized Representative) to establish your authority to manage the case.

Upload all supporting documents electronically through the portal. If any documents are missing, the BFA will send a verification request (Form 800V) — respond immediately, because delays in verification extend the processing timeline.

The 45-Day Processing Window

Once your application is filed:

Days 1-14: The BFA reviews submitted documentation and runs an electronic Asset Verification System (AVS) query against financial institutions nationwide. This automated check will flag any accounts, transfers, or property interests the state identifies.

Days 15-30: If the BFA needs additional information, they'll send Form 800V. Respond the same day if possible. The 45-day clock continues running, but incomplete verifications are the single most common reason applications stall.

Days 31-45: The BFA issues a formal Notice of Decision (NOD) detailing approval or denial, the effective start date, the patient liability amount (how much of your parent's monthly income goes to the facility), and any applicable spousal income allocations.

If the Application Is Denied

You have exactly 30 days from the date printed on the Notice of Decision to file a written appeal with the DHHS Administrative Appeals Unit. Common denial reasons include:

• Countable assets above the $7,500 effective limit
• Unresolved transfer penalties from the lookback period
• Missing documentation that the BFA requested but never received
• Clinical assessment showing the applicant does not meet the NFLOC threshold

Don't assume a denial is final. Many denials result from documentation gaps that can be resolved on appeal.

After Approval: Ongoing Requirements

Medicaid approval isn't permanent. Your parent must maintain assets below $7,500 at the end of every calendar month. The BFA will send a yellow renewal notice annually — you'll need to submit BFA Form 800R with current financial statements within 60 days.

The New Hampshire Medicaid Long-Term Care & Asset Protection Guide includes a complete application document checklist, spend-down planning worksheets, and a timeline tracker to keep the process on track from first ServiceLink call through annual renewal.

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