How much savings is exposed when applying to Medicaid?

One more question. How is your mother being in assisted living being paid for?

Here is a link that might give you some ideas.

https://www.agingcare.com/questions/immoral-try-to-shield-assets-from-medicaid-158935.htm?page=1&cm=829540#829540

Don't spend this money because you will receive a Medicaid Recovery letter at some point.

I missed the part where you say that mom's name was taken off 2 or 2 1/2 years ago. That puts things in a different light. Whoever is the POA that took your mom's name off the joint account did not handle mom's money properly. I hope you have not spent much of it.

You need a lawyer. You have a gifting transfer within 5 years. If your mother’s tax Id especially was connected to the account until 2.5 years ago when you took her off, it does not look like transfers took place before the 5 year lookback. Unless you’ve been adding to assets, it looks like transfers to make an elder eligible for Medicaid and keep her assets for family. Big Nono. The savings won’t be vulnerable to Medicaid; it will cause a transfer penalty that means you will private pay from the assets until the penalty is satisfied. Hopefully mom’s savings are still available for her care.....

Why would you apply for Medicaid when your mother has savings in excess of 200k?  You should use some of these funds to consult a certified eldercare atttorney.

  If I recall, PA is a filial responsibility state. You need some good advice.  In fact, you needed good advice at the time you took mom's name off her savings account.

The money paid into the savings account came solely from your mother, did it? You and your sisters have never contributed to its balance?

If that is so, then no matter whose name shows up on the account that money is your mother's, not yours or your sisters', and must be declared. Which I'd have thought would rule out Medicaid for the time being. How much do you expect the Nursing Home to cost?

I understand that it won't be a comfort exactly, but Medicaid is public money voted for the relief of people who do not have nearly a quarter of a million in the bank to pay for their care in old age.

Whose name is primary on the joint account? In other words, who pays the taxes on what the investments earn?

Since this joint account from your mother's savings was done 20 years ago, it may escape Medicaid's five year rule unless it has been 5 years or less since you took her name off of the joint account. This might need a lawyer who specializes in elder law to consult with.