
To qualify for MassHealth, you must be a Massachusetts resident, and your income must be within a certain range. This range varies depending on your family size and composition.
To be eligible, your family's income must not exceed 138% of the federal poverty level. For example, a single person with no dependents must earn less than $16,753 per year to qualify.
If you're pregnant or have a disability, you may be eligible even if your income is higher. The MassHealth program also offers special programs for children, pregnant women, and families with limited income.
To apply for MassHealth, you can visit the MassHealth website or visit your local health and human services office in person.
Related reading: Masshealth Renewal Form
MassHealth Eligibility
MassHealth eligibility is based on a combination of factors, including age, income level, and family size. To qualify for MassHealth, you must meet certain income and asset limits.
If you're 65 or older, you're eligible for MassHealth, regardless of your income level. However, if you transfer assets to someone other than your spouse within 5 years of applying, you may face penalties or even be denied benefits altogether.
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Here are some key factors that can affect your MassHealth eligibility:
- Age: If you're 65 or older, you're eligible for MassHealth.
- Income level: Your income will be compared to the cost of your medical care.
- Family size: The number of people in your household can impact your eligibility.
- Assets: You may be subject to asset limits, including income and savings.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for MassHealth, you'll need to meet certain requirements. These include income and asset limits, as well as a lookback period during which your financial transactions are examined.
MassHealth has strict eligibility criteria, including income and asset limits, and imposes a lookback period during which the applicant's financial transactions are carefully examined.
Income limits apply to everyone who seeks MassHealth benefits, regardless of age and regardless of the type of benefits that are needed.
The cost of medical care must be greater than the income you have available to pay for it in order to meet the income limits and qualify for MassHealth.
If you're 65 or older, transferring assets to someone other than your spouse within 5 years of applying for benefits will result in a penalty.
Transferring assets of more than $15,000 each year will deny you benefits altogether.
Here are the key factors that determine MassHealth eligibility:
- Age
- Income level
- Number of people in your family
- Being pregnant or having a disability
These factors will be carefully examined during the lookback period to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.
Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) Program
The Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) Program is a new initiative that combines existing Community Support Programs with the Flexible Services Program into a single Supplemental Services construction. This program is designed to provide additional support to MassHealth members enrolled in the Mass General Brigham Accountable Care Organization (ACO).
As of January 1, 2025, MassHealth members in the ACO may be eligible to receive housing and/or nutrition support through the HRSN Supplemental Services program. Each HRSN Supplemental Service has specific programmatic eligibility requirements that members must meet to qualify.
To learn more about HRSN Supplemental Services eligibility, you can visit the HRSN webpage and review the Supplemental Service Manuals. The FAQs section on the webpage also provides additional information.
The HRSN Supplemental Services program is a standard set of services developed by MassHealth, and each service has its own eligibility requirements. To find out more, visit the HRSN webpage for additional information.
Consider reading: How to Qualify for a Heloc
Applying for MassHealth
You can apply for MassHealth at any time through your state's Medicaid agency, which you can find by searching online. To be eligible, you must be a resident of the state where you're applying.
To apply, you can also create an account with the Health Insurance Marketplace and fill out an application. If it looks like you qualify for MassHealth, your information will be sent to your state agency and they will contact you about enrollment.
Here are the ways you can apply for MassHealth:
- Find and check with your state's Medicaid agency to apply.
- Create an account with the Health Insurance Marketplace and fill out an application.
Forms Are 'Almost Torture' to Fill Out
Filling out the MassHealth eligibility check forms can be a daunting task, with one official describing it as "almost torture". The forms are federally required and can be quite hands-on, even with advanced messaging and outreach campaigns about the blue envelopes.
The process of checking insurance eligibility for 2.4 million MassHealth members is a massive undertaking that's expected to take a year to complete. In the first month, 12,000 people fell off the rolls, but that's just a small fraction of what's expected to happen as the process gets up and running.
State officials are investing significant resources into campaigns, door knocking, and mailings to get the job done, but it's clear that it's a lot of work. If you're one of the 2.4 million MassHealth members, be prepared for a potentially lengthy and complex process.
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Medicaid Application
To apply for Medicaid, also known as MassHealth in Massachusetts, you have two main options. You can find and check with your state's Medicaid agency to apply, but you must be a resident of the state where you're applying for benefits.
You can also create an account with the Health Insurance Marketplace and fill out an application. If it looks like anyone in your household qualifies for Medicaid, your information will be sent to your state agency, and they will contact you about enrollment.
To determine if you're eligible for Medicaid, consider your age, income level, family size, and any disabilities or pregnancy status. Medicaid provides free or low-cost medical benefits to eligible individuals, including adults with a low income, children, pregnant people, people 65 or over, and people with disabilities.
You can apply for Medicaid at any time, and the application process is relatively straightforward.
How to Renew Medicaid/CHIP Coverage
Renewing Medicaid/CHIP coverage is a crucial step to ensure you continue receiving the benefits you need. Your state may review your information each year to decide if you are eligible for Medicaid, and if they need more information, they will contact you about renewing your coverage.
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To prepare for the renewal process, gather all necessary documents and information, such as your income, family size, and medical expenses. This will help you answer any questions your state may have and ensure a smooth renewal process.
If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, you will be notified by your state. You can also check your eligibility status online or by contacting your state's Medicaid office.
For more help with the renewal process, contact your state's Medicaid office or a local social services agency. They can provide you with guidance and support to ensure you understand the renewal process and what you need to do.
Here are some steps to follow during the renewal process:
- Prepare all necessary documents and information
- Answer any questions from your state about your eligibility
- Check your eligibility status online or by contacting your state's Medicaid office
How Our Attorneys Can Help
Our experienced attorneys can help you prepare for MassHealth eligibility with personalized strategies. We specialize in elder law and estate planning.
We provide comprehensive guidance on a range of planning options. This includes helping you understand the eligibility requirements for MassHealth.
Our attorneys can help you create a plan that meets your needs and protects your assets. We'll work with you to identify the best options for your situation.
We offer personalized strategies to help clients prepare for MassHealth eligibility. This includes providing guidance on a range of planning options.
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Sources
- https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2023-06-12/one-mass-official-says-masshealth-eligibility-check-forms-are-almost-torture-to-fill-out
- https://www.usa.gov/medicaid-chip-insurance
- https://myfamilyestateplanning.com/2024/07/05/understanding-masshealth-eligibility-income-and-asset-limits/
- https://guardiancommunitytrust.org/public-benefits/medicaid/
- https://massgeneralbrighamhealthplan.org/providers/mgb-aco
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