Are there any legal ways to avoid this by placing assets in a living trust? Or a trust period?
There’s usually a lookback/grabback period of several years. IIRC it’s either 5 or 7 years.
yes, was a five year plan to do such. Talk with an attorney familiar with trusts. Am almost positive was changed under zer0care though.
Many folks put the house in the children’s name.
Look at an irrevocable Medicare trust to protect assets from Medicare clawback. The rules and laws vary depending on the state, and you need an attorney to set it up. I just had one set up for my parents.
I would think you could give all your assets to family and avoid this. Heck, I would give everything to some guy off the street just to screw the gooberment if I were on my death bed.