American citizenship or legal immigration status has always been a requirement for federally-funded Medicaid eligibility, and applicants could indicate their status by checking a box. Starting July 1, actual documentary evidence of both citizenship and identity will be required for new applications and renewals. On June 9 the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidelines listing five categories of acceptable evidence, when each can be used, and how the state should respond to situations in which documents are unavailable.
MassHealth is currently negotiating with CMS about how to apply these requirements in Massachusetts. The July 1 implementation date is close; more guidance is expected soon.
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