A completely new membership card is being sent to each individual MassHealth member between the end of July and the end of September. For the first time, each family member on MassHealth will have a separate card and their own identification number. Though this ID number will no longer be based on a Social Security number, it is intended to remain consistent no matter how many times a member experiences gaps in MassHealth coverage or changes their personal information. Because the mailing is spread over a two-month period, members can expect to receive their cards at different times.
IF MASSHEALTH DOES NOT HAVE CURRENT ADDRESS INFORMATION AND A CARD IS RETURNED AS UNDELIVERABLE, THE MEMBER WILL BE TERMINATED. There are two exceptions: members who are designated as homeless (who will not be terminated), and those receiving TANF benefits (whose status will be determined by the Department of Transitional Assistance).
Members who need to update their addresses, or who have questions about the new cards, should call MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900 (TTY: 1-800-497-4648) immediately.
Members should start using their new cards as soon as they receive them. Old MassHealth cards can then be destroyed, but members should keep their managed care plan cards because the new MassHealth card does not replace them. Eligibility checks can still be made using the ID number on the old MassHealth cards.
UPDATE: Members will not be terminated
This just came in from the MassHealth Training Forum today (emphasis added):
"To prepare for the NewMMIS management system, MassHealth began issuing new member ID cards last week. In the event a member ID card is returned to MassHealth through undeliverable mail, MassHealth will NOT take action to end the member's benefits. The undeliverable member ID cards will be forwarded to a special project unit at MassHealth for investigation and records update.
"Please note that case management business processes for all other MassHealth mailings have not changed. All other undeliverable mail returned to MassHealth will result in an individual's benefits closing. It remains important to remind members to make sure that MassHealth has updated address information. Members can report address changes by mail to their MassHealth Enrollment Center (MEC) or by calling the MEC at 1-888-665-9993 or MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900 (TTY: 1-800-497-4648 for people with partial or total hearing loss)."
Delay in mailing of cards
Due to systems issues, these new MassHealth cards will not be going out yet, giving people more time to confirm addresses with MassHealth.
When we know more, we'll let you know.
Meg
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