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County to place lien under RSA 166:20 on nursing-home resident’s property to secure $26,774 owed
Summary
Commissioners were told staff will record a lien under RSA 166:20 on a nursing-home resident’s property to secure $26,774 in unpaid charges; staff said the lien is nonlitigious, will be recorded in the registry of deeds and will be released if Medicaid retroactively pays.
Cheryl told the Cheshire County Commission on March 19 that staff will place a lien on a nursing-home resident’s property under RSA 166:20 to secure a debt owed to the county.
Cheryl described the lien as a routine, noninvasive administrative step that is recorded in the registry of deeds so the county’s claim can be satisfied if and when the property sells. “This is a lien that basically identifies the property, the name of the person, the book and page number of where it's recorded in the registry of deeds and the amount owed to us as of this date,” she said. Cheryl said the county is currently owed $26,774 for that resident but noted Medicaid retroactive payments could reduce or eliminate that balance.
Staff said they do not plan to notify the resident publicly while the social worker and family work through Medicaid eligibility; the county will release the lien if Medicaid covers the debt. Commissioners described the approach as a business practice to protect taxpayers and to ensure any available equity at closing addresses outstanding balances.
Next steps: Cheryl will have the lien prepared and recorded with the registry of deeds and the record will note the amount owed as of the recording date; staff will update the commission if Medicaid adjustments change the balance due.
