How to apply for MassHealth Insurance with little stress

Are you looking to apply for MassHealth Insurance of Massachusetts, but overwhelmed by the application process?

Mass Care Link is here to help. As the entire procedure can take a couple of months to complete, citizens of Massachusetts desiring MassHealth benefits to obtain long term care, including adult foster care benefits with Mass Care Link, should not waste any time. We’ve put together some tips to help expedite the process so you can spend more time caring for your loved ones.  

Step One: Clarify your health insurance needs

MassHealth Insurance of Massachusetts is a state-based health insurance program that provides health coverage to individuals depending on their income. It is a general umbrella program with many different insurance plans within. Massachusetts residents under 65 years of age requiring assistance to pay for dental or medical care are eligible to apply for MassHealth benefits. Your application will help determine which insurance plan you may qualify for.  

Identify available benefits: This is perhaps the toughest part of the entire process. You may have a family member that might need care at home. Hence, it will be wise to identify which services are available to support your loved one. For example, if you need services from an adult foster care agency that provides caregivers a monthly payment for taking care of a friend or family member at home you can apply for services through Mass Care Link, a MassHealth Insurance of Massachusetts licensed provider, as long as you meet the requirements.   

Step Two: Gather supporting documents

You will need to provide documents when applying for health insurance, such as income, social security numbers, assets and more. Prior to the application procedure, it is necessary to have in hand recent tax returns, medical bills, health insurance statements and financial statements. Keep a good filing system and records of your accounts, annuities, pension, homeowner’s insurance policies, health insurance premiums, etc. moving forward. A MassHealth case worker may also require you to verify expenses or deposits made in previous years. Moreover, all information provided needs to be recent and accurate.  

Step Three: Completing the application process

Completing an application is a time commitment as it is a few pages in length. Residents may obtain a printed copy of the application and mail it in or they can head over to the Massachusetts Health Connector website to complete and submit the application online. 

During the process there are some pages which can be avoided. Knowing this ahead of time may help speed up the process. Four supplemental forms are included besides the main application which may be avoided if they do not pertain to your needs:

• Supplement A: For those desiring long-term care.
• Supplement B: For those having Alaska Native/American Indian household members.
• Supplement C: For those desiring personal care attendants.
• Supplement D: For those eligible to avail employer sponsored health coverage.

Follow-up

One your application is submitted, there is a waiting period. An assigned caseworker will review your application. If the application is found to be incomplete, a notification will be sent in writing. You must provide MassHealth with the information they are requesting promptly. Submission is mandatory within a specified deadline in order to be approved. Whether approved or denied, MassHealth Insurance of Massachusetts will provide its decision in writing. If you are denied, you are eligible to file an appeal within 30 days.

If you are struggling through the application process or need help appealing, consult with an experienced and knowledgeable law attorney. Reputed law offices not only have gained years of expertise and experience in this domain, but also are likely to have developed familiarity with resources available in the community. Hence, they are in a better position to deal with issues and obstacles that might come along during the application process. 

If you qualify for MassHealth Insurance and would like more information benefits through Mass Care Link and our adult foster care services, please contact us.