To prevent a gap in your MassHealth coverage, please take these steps now:
- Update your information with MassHealth. Make sure MassHealth has your most up to date address, phone number, and email so you do not miss important information and notices from MassHealth. Call 800-841-2900 (TDD/TTY: 711) to update your contact information.
- Read all your mail. MassHealth will be sending your renewal form in a blue envelope. Additional important notices or request for information may arrive in white envelopes.
- Respond to MassHealth before the deadline. Your notice will have a deadline. Make sure you fill out and send all needed information to MassHealth by the deadline.
More about the Blue Envelope:
At the beginning of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the federal government implemented continuous coverage requirements for Medicaid. In response to these requirements, MassHealth put protections in place in February 2020 that prevented members’ MassHealth coverage from ending.
The federal government ended these continuous coverage requirements on April 1, 2023 and MassHealth returned to its standard annual eligibility renewal processes. These renewals are taking place over 12 months, from April 2023 – 2024. This means that members could get their renewal forms in the mail at any time during this 1-year period.
MassHealth communications have been expanded to include both text and email capabilities. Members who have shared their cell phone number and/or email with MassHealth will receive a text and/or email letting them know their renewal form is coming soon. Renewal forms will be sent to members in a blue envelope.
Inside of each blue envelope members will find the following:
- Their renewal notice, including their renewal deadline,
- An insert about their renewal, and
- A paper renewal form.
During this time period, members may receive other important mail from MassHealth that they must read and respond to in order to maintain their coverage and understand what benefits they qualify for.
This other mail will arrive in white envelopes separately from the Blue Envelope containing the renewal. The return address may indicate “Commonwealth of Massachusetts” or a specific unit of the Commonwealth, such as the Health Insurance Processing Center or EDMC. Members should watch out for any mail that could be from MassHealth, and open all envelopes.
Whenever possible, MassHealth will attempt to automatically process renewals for people who:
- Receive SSI through the U.S. Social Security Administration because they are 65 or older and have limited income or resources.
- Receive SSI through the U.S. Social Security Administration because they are disabled and have limited income or resources.
- Received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) through DTA
- Currently or formerly in the custody of the Department of Children & Families
- Are a child or youth in custody of the Department of Youth Services
However, people in these groups must respond to a blue envelope renewal notice should they receive one.
If you think you may no longer be eligible for MassHealth, other health coverage options are available.
Massachusetts Health Connector: You may qualify for an affordable plan through the MA Health Connector. Members can visit www.mahealthconnector.org/ or call customer service at 1-877- MA ENROLL (1-877-623-7773) to learn more or enroll in a plan. If you lose your MassHealth coverage, it is a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). This means you can enroll in a plan through the Health Connector outside of the regular Open Enrollment Period.
Employer Sponsored Insurance: In Massachusetts over 70% of all employers offer health insurance as a benefit to their employees. Most of these employers pay part of the premium and also offer a choice of several health plans. If a member’s employer offers insurance, they can choose the health plan that is best for them from the choices offered. If you have access to an employer-sponsored health plan, your loss of MassHealth coverage is considered a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). The QLE will trigger a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that will allow you to enroll in your employer’s plan outside of the annual Open Enrollment Period. Generally, the SEP is only available for 60 days following the QLE, so do not wait to review options with your employer.
Medicare Savings Programs: The Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) (formerly known as the MassHealth Senior Buy-In and Buy-In programs) are federally funded programs that pay for some or all of a low-income Medicare recipients’ premiums, deductibles, copayments, and co-insurance.
Prescription Advantage: Prescription Advantage is a state-sponsored prescription drug program for older people and people with disabilities and provides financial help to lower prescription drug costs.
Home and Community Based Waivers, including the Frail Elder Waiver: The Frail Elder Waiver (FEW) is a MassHealth program with expanded income eligibility, administered by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs which provides community supports to Massachusetts residents aged 60 and older who would otherwise require facility care. The FEW supports individuals with a variety of needs that can be met through a range of home-based supports.
Program All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): The Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is administered by MassHealth and Medicare to provide a wide range of medical, social, recreational, and wellness services to eligible participants. You do not need to be on MassHealth to enroll in PACE.