MA Health Care Learning Series
Launch of HRSN Supplemental and Required Services in January 2025
In September of 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved MassHealth’s 1115 demonstration waiver renewal, which included re-authorization of and changes to both Flexible Services Program (FSP) and Specialized Community Supports Program (CSP) for Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Enrollees only.
As approved in this waiver FSP will be ending on 12/31/2024. As of January 2025, there will be two categories of services that address HRSNs (i.e., HRSN Services) for ACO Enrollees – Required Services and Supplemental Services. HRSN Required Services must be offered and provided to any eligible ACO Enrollee. HRSN Supplemental Services are chosen by the ACO. The ACO must then offer and provide such services to any eligible ACO Enrollee.
During this webinar we will share information including:
- Current and future state Housing and Nutrition Services
- Member eligibility
- Changes that impact members
Launch of HRSN Supplemental and Required Services presentation
Understanding Immigration Requirements and Application Completion for Health Insurance Coverage in Massachusetts: Part 2
This webinar is meant for those who want to understand the citizenship and immigration policies that guide the MassHealth and Health Connector programs for individuals younger than 65 and best practices to support applicants and members in completing an application – online or on paper. The Understanding Immigration Requirements and Application Completion for Health Insurance Coverage in Massachusetts is a two-part series to guide you in supporting applicants and members applying for coverage. You can review Part 1, which reviewed coverage options and eligibility criteria, key terms, and best practices. This upcoming Part 2 session will review scenarios and the application.
Learning Outcomes:
After participating in this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Describe Citizens and Noncitizens, for the purpose of health care coverage offered by MassHealth and the Health Connector.
- Describe how to find and identify different immigration document types.
- Explain how to complete the application.
Going to a Nursing Facility? How to Apply for Long-Term-Care (LTC)
Learn about how to apply for long-term-care services for an applicant going to a nursing facility. We will review the eligibility criteria, how to complete the application and what to expect from MassHealth throughout the process.
Learning objectives:
- How to complete a long-term-care application
- Understand eligibility criteria
- Know the difference between a LTC intake application vs. a LTC conversion
Going to a Nursing Facility? How to Apply for Long-Term-Care (LTC) presentation
Going to a Nursing Facility? How to Apply for Long-Term-Care (LTC) transcription
Going to a Nursing Facility? How to Apply for Long-Term-Care (LTC) Questions and Answers
Medicare Savings Program (MSP) (formerly MassHealth Buy-In)
MassHealth provides health care benefits for eligible children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities living in Massachusetts. MassHealth may offer benefits directly or help pay for all or part of a member’s health insurance premiums. As a MassHealth member, they may have access to doctor visits, dental visits, prescription drugs, behavioral health services, and other important healthcare services. Massachusetts resident on Medicare with limited income, may qualify for help paying their Medicare costs. MassHealth offers Medicare Savings Programs (MSP), formerly known as MassHealth Buy-In (MHBI) to help with these costs.
The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) webinar will introduce you to the Medicare Savings Program- the programs and its income limits, how to apply, and benefits for members.
In Medicare Savings Program (MSP), you will be able to:
- Describe how MSP supports Medicare beneficiaries and eligibility for Extra Help or LIS
- Describe the latest expansion of the Medicare Savings Program
- Explain how to apply for MSP
- Identify tips and best practices for helping seniors understand their MSP benefits
Understanding Medicare Savings Program (MSP) presentation (Rev 3/1/24)
Understanding Medicare Savings Program (MSP) transcription
The Get Help Paying Medicare Cost page has been updated, with the MSP flyers, and people can find the 2024 FPL chart at: Program financial guidelines for certain MassHealth applicants and members | Mass.gov as well as the updated MHBI application at Applications to become a MassHealth member | Mass.gov.
Understanding Immigration Requirements and Application Completion for Health Insurance Coverage in Massachusetts
Learn about the immigration requirements for those applying for health care coverage using the Massachusetts Application for Health and Dental Coverage and Help Paying Costs or ACA-3 application.
This webinar is meant for those who want to better understand the citizenship and immigration policies that guide the MassHealth and Health Connector programs for individuals younger than 65 and best practices to support applicants and members in completing an application – online or on paper. The Understanding Immigration Requirements and Application Completion for Health Insurance Coverage in Massachusetts Webinar Part-1 is a two-part series to guide you in supporting applicants and members applying for coverage. Part 1, reviews coverage options and eligibility criteria, key terms, and best practices. As noted above, there are two opportunities to join this first part of the webinar series. Part 2 will review scenarios and the application. These webinars will be held in coming months.
Learning Outcomes:
After participating in this webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Describe Citizens and Noncitizens, for the purpose of health care coverage offered by MassHealth and the Health Connector
- Describe available resources to help identify immigration documents
- Explain the steps included in determining someone's eligibility for coverage
Understanding Citizenship and Immigration Requirements for Health Coverage presentation
Understanding Citizenship and Immigration Requirements for Health Coverage transcription
Learn How to Apply for Help Paying for Health and Dental Coverage in Massachusetts
Learn how applicants younger than 65 can apply for health care coverage using the Massachusetts Application for Health and Dental Coverage and Help Paying Costs or ACA-3 application.
This webinar is meant for those who want to understand the policies that guide the MassHealth and Health Connector programs for individuals younger than 65 and best practices to support applicants and members complete an application – online or on paper.
Learning Outcomes:
After participating in this webinar attendees will be able to:
- Explain how MassHealth and the Health Connector determine eligibility.
- Identify the difference between MassHealth programs and the Health Connector plans.
- Describe best practices to successfully complete an Application for Health and Dental Coverage and Help Paying Costs – online or on paper.
Learn How to Apply for Help Paying for Health and Dental Coverage in Massachusetts presentation
MassHealth Health Plan Updates: Relaunch of ACO Programs
MassHealth managed care eligible members include members younger than 65, with no TPL (including Medicare), living in the community, and in the following MassHealth coverage types: Standard, CarePlus, CommonHealth, or Family Assistance can select to join an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) plan, Managed Care Plan (MCO), or the Primary Care Clinician (PCC) plan. MassHealth originally launched the Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program in March 2018. Through a re-procurement, MassHealth selected 17 healthcare organizations to participate in the MassHealth ACO program. The new health plans will launch on April 1, 2023. MassHealth ACOs are integrated networks of physicians, hospitals, and other community-based healthcare providers that are accountable for the quality, cost, and member experience of care for 1.2 million MassHealth members.
In February, members were mailed notices providing updates about their enrollment in the MassHealth health plan. Member enrollment in ACOs will be based on their relationship with their current primary care provider to ensure continuity of care. Members generally follow their Primary Care Providers (PCP). If a member’s PCP assignment is not available in our systems, the member will move with their ACO partner.
Depending on whether a member is special assigned, or not being moved to a new plan, they will receive different messaging in 2023.
At the end of the webinar, you’ll be able to:
- Identify MassHealth’s health plan options available for selection starting April 1, 2023
- Describe the types of messages members may receive about their health plan enrollment
- Identify key dates, continuity of care period, and actions
- Explain how members can learn, find a MassHealth health plan or providers, and enroll in a plan
MassHealth Health Plan Updates: Relaunch of ACO Programs presentation
Transcript of video - MassHealth Health Plan Updates: Relaunch of ACO Programs
MassHealth for Seniors and Individuals Seeking Long-Term-Care Services (LTC)
Update: Effective 4/1/2024, the asset test for Medicare Savings Program, formerly known as MassHealth Buy-In Program, has been eliminated. For more information about the program, review the Understanding Medicare Savings Program webinar or go to Get Help Paying Medicare Costs | Mass.gov.
MassHealth provides health care benefits for eligible children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities living in Massachusetts. MassHealth may offer benefits directly or help pay for all or part of a member’s health insurance premiums. As a MassHealth member, they may have access to doctor visits, dental visits, prescription drugs, behavioral health services, and other important health care services. The first step individuals need to take is to apply.
The MassHealth for Seniors and Individuals Seeking Long-Term-Care Services (LTC) webinar series will review and step through how seniors and people needing long-term-care services apply, renew, and programs for seniors. The Application for Health Coverage for Seniors and People Needing Long-Term-Care Services, commonly referred to as the SACA-2, is for seniors and persons of any age needing long-term-care services.
The MassHealth for Seniors and Individuals Seeking Long-Term-Care Services (LTC) webinar is a three-part series that will guide you as you help individuals 65 years of age or older or any individual seeking long-term-care services apply for health care benefits. You will also learn about educating individuals on how they can maintain their health care coverage.
In Part 1 (August 2022), you will be able to:
- Explain who can use the Application for Health Coverage for Seniors and People Needing Long-Term-Care Services (SACA-2) and the MassHealth Buy-In for people who are eligible for Medicare
- Describe eligibility requirements
- Demonstrate how to complete each section of the SACA-2 application and the MassHealth Buy-In for people who are eligible for Medicare
- Identify what documents are required and how to submit them
- Discuss best practices for handling SACA-2 applications
In Part 2 (November & December 2022), you will be able to:
- Describe the MassHealth coverage types for seniors and people of any age who need long-term-care services
- Describe the MassHealth health plans and programs for eligible seniors
The MassHealth for Seniors and Individuals Seeking Long-Term-Care Services (LTC): Renewal webinar is the third part of our 3-part series. This session will focus on renewals and will guide you as you help individuals 65 years of age or older or any individual seeking long-term-care services renew their health care benefits.
In Part 3: Renewal (March 2023), you will be able to:
- Describe the senior renewal requirements
- Explain how to complete a MassHealth renewal for seniors
- Describe ways MassHealth seniors can submit their renewal
- Identify tips and best practices for helping seniors who already receive benefits and want to renew their coverage
Understanding MassHealth Cost Sharing Policy Update Webinar: Phase 2 - June 2021
MassHealth is making changes to limit the amount of cost sharing members pay. During the webinar, you will learn how MassHealth will calculate copays, new terms members should be familiar with, view new copay notices, and the new premium hardship waivers.
This learning opportunity is for those who support MassHealth members. Attendees of this webinar will:
- Learn about MassHealth’s copay and premium policy updates.
- Hear information about how and when it will roll out.
- Learn about member notices and member resources.
- Understanding MassHealth Cost Sharing Policy Update: Phase 2 - PowerPoint presentation
