US Medical Term · financial
Estate
Patrimonio
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Estate |
| Spanish (Español) | Patrimonio |
| Chinese (中文) | 遗产 |
| Korean (한국어) | 유산 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Di sản |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Ari-arian |
| Portuguese (Português) | Espólio |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | กองมรดก |
| Japanese (日本語) | 遺産 |
What it means
In healthcare and benefits contexts, an estate refers to all the property, assets, and outstanding debts a person leaves behind at death. It may include a home, bank accounts, retirement accounts, vehicles, and personal belongings, minus any debts owed. In Medicaid planning, the estate is the primary target for estate recovery, through which state Medicaid agencies seek reimbursement for costs paid during the recipient's lifetime—particularly nursing home and long-term care services received after age 55. Probate is the court-supervised process that settles debts and distributes remaining assets to heirs. Assets held in certain trusts or with named beneficiaries may pass outside probate and thus may be shielded from Medicaid recovery.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
After the Medicaid recipient passed away, the state filed a claim against the estate to recover nursing home costs.
Después del fallecimiento del beneficiario de Medicaid, el estado presentó un reclamo contra el patrimonio para recuperar los costos del hogar de ancianos.
Your estate includes your home, bank accounts, and all property you own at the time of death.
Su patrimonio incluye su hogar, cuentas bancarias y todos los bienes que posee al momento de su fallecimiento.
Assets held in a properly structured trust may be excluded from your estate for Medicaid recovery purposes.
Los activos mantenidos en un fideicomiso correctamente estructurado pueden excluirse de su patrimonio a efectos de la recuperación de Medicaid.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026