As you may have heard, Community Partners has made the decision to close our doors and suspend our work as of December 31, 2009. We are not out of ideas or energy for making a better health care system in Massachusetts, and across the nation. We’re just out of funds. Read more here about our decision to close, and our thanks to our network and many partners over the years.
Given new options under federal CHIPRA rules, MassHealth recently expanded eligibility for legal immigrants who are pregnant or under age 19.
As of October 1, 2009, MassHealth will extend full dental benefits to members under age 19 who receive Family Assistance premium assistance.
MassHealth recently trained specific workers at the MassHealth Enrollment Centers (MECs) to process updates to your clients' immigration status. It is important to check and update immigration information right away, because members who are deemed "Aliens with Special Status" (AWSS) will no longer be eligible for Commonwealth Care after August 31.
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation is seeking new applicants for several grant areas and for its transformative Institute for Community Health Leadership.
Approximately 31,000 Commonwealth Care members who are legal immigrants could lose their Commonwealth Care coverage as of August 1, 2009. A helpful tip sheet and checklist from the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) can help you figure out who may still be eligible.
Commonwealth Care members who live in areas where more than one health plan is offered may change their plans between May 25 and June 25, 2009.
Overall, standards for 2009 are less stringent than they were in 2008.
The MassHealth Training Forum announced (PDF) that starting this week, MassHealth is again giving clients 45 days to complete and return Eligibility Review and Verification (ERV) forms. The 45 day window now applies to MassHealth, Children’s Medical Security Plan, Commonwealth Care, Health Safety Net and Healthy Start programs.
