Heres a really good link that explains the law. Realize that Medicaid is state by state so the exact rules may be slightly different. In general they won't look for you to sell moms home while she is alive. However when she passes the house is part of her estate and Medicaid will have a lien against it and force the sale. As a child you have no rights to stay in the house unless you are blind or disabled.

http://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/part-a/paying-for-nursing-home-care.html

What you need to consider is what is in your moms best interest and eventually yours as well. First of all find out if moms nursing home even takes Medicaid, they don't have to. If they do find out if her room would change since often it gets worse. Then figure out what it is costing to keep moms home. Taxes and utilities and repairs add up. If mom has no money(nursing home will get her social security) who will pay for this? Sometimes it is better to sell the house now and use the money to get mom good care. Medicaid is going to get their money later anyway.

This is a major turning point in your life. You are going from caregiver to administrator of moms estate. Time to get back to your life which you've put on hold to care for mom.

Very good advice, Tigg is right Medicaid will get their money anyway. Time to talk to a lawyer.

I BELIEVE you have established residency there so you have some rights. But if it is not in your name also , 2-3 years prior to her going into care, the house does have to be sold to pay for her care. Medicare is entitled to anything in her estate to pay for her care.

P.S. estate means after she dies, so I would say the lawyer is right. Have the lawyer write a letter telling the care home just that and for them to stop harassing you.

You don't have to sell the house but you might want to. There are several arguments for each decision.

First off Medicare will only pay for skilled nursing home care. Not assisted living. So if mom doesn't need skilled care you will need to come up with cash.

Next most good nursing homes want to see several months up to a year of cash payments before medicare takes over. They get less from medicare. So you may find that the good homes are "full" unless you can pay for a while. There is also a difference in the treatment you will get from the staff when mom is on medicare. Money speaks.

You will need to maintain mom's home and pay the bills. Once she goes on Medicare they will take her social security check and any other retirement income. Consider whether you will be able to pay all of the bills yourself. Also consider whether this is the best option for you. For example if it costs $20,000 a year to pay the taxes, utilities, insurance and repairs on the house but you could get an apartment for $15,000 a year it would be smarter to sell.

You should really speak to mom's accountant. Find out what tax implications there may be. Because her whole income will be used for nursing care she won't owe any taxes but she also won't get any benefit from house taxes. If the housing market is good you could sell mom's house and invest the money in something conservative. Instead of being eaten away by Medicare it could be earning money and increasing in value.

You need to speak to an accountant and the lawyer. According to Medicare rules (see link above) a child is not entitled to stay in the house unless they are disabled. It usually takes a while for them to come after the house but eventually they will. Better to be proactive and make a good plan, whatever you decide to do.