Statute of Limitations Does Not Apply to Medicaid Estate Recovery

The North Carolina Medicaid program paid a total of $52,575.14 in nursing home costs for Sallie Anthony. After Mrs. Anthony’s death, Anna Thompkins, who would become the Executrix of Anthony’s estate, contacted the State to inquire about its claim for the Medicaid expenditures. She then completed the probate of the Estate without paying the State. Some time later, the State filed suit against Thompkins, who defended herself by alleging that the statute of limitations had expired. The Court ruled for the State because the statute of limitations did not expressly apply to the State and, in the absence of express inclusion in the statute, the doctrine of nullum tempus occurritt regi (no time runs against the king) applies in North Carolina.