Updates from MassHealth and Other Resources

Health-Law-Announcements
Hi Folks,
We're forwarding this announcement from MassHealth & the Connector with links to  updated income Tables & Flyers, updated Application Forms and other resources.
 
MLRI's March 1, 2022 version of our upper income limit Table for Health Coverage programs is posted here. https://www.masslegalservices.org/content/updated-mar-1-2022-upper-income-limits-health-programs
 
And for those of you working with immigrant clients & patients, we wanted to make sure you've seen updated Feb 2022 MassHealth guidance for identifying and verifying eligible immigration status as a Cuban/Haitian Entrant or as a PRUCOL 
 
 
 
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: MAhealthconnectorUpdates <mahealthconnectortraining@state.ma.us>
Date: Thu, Mar 10, 2022 at 12:11 PM
Subject: Updates from MassHealth and Other Resources
To: <vpulos@mlri.org>
 
Assister Updates
Important News for Certified Assisters In Massachusetts 
 
March 10, 2022
 
2022 MassHealth Income Standards and Federal Poverty Guidelines 
 
Effective March 1, 2022, the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) standards increased:
 
  • 100% FPL for one individual went from $1,074 to $1,133
 
The 2022 MassHealth Income Standards and Federal Poverty Guidelines is posted and available for download and print at the MassHealth website.
 
Reminder: The Health Connector continues to use the 2021 FPL guidelines for all determinations about the 2022 coverage year.
 
Updated ACA-3 and SACA-2 Applications and Member Booklets
MassHealth has updated the applications and member booklets for the Health and Dental Coverage and Help Paying Costs (ACA-3) and the Application for Health Coverage for Seniors and People Needing Long-Term-Care Services (SACA-2). They are available for download and print at:
 
 
Supplies and Use of Revised Forms
 
The March 2022, as well as the July 2021 version of the ACA-3 and SACA-2 applications, will be accepted through December 31, 2022.
 
Ordering Materials:
 
 
Medicare Savings Program or MassHealth Buy-In Update 
Individuals on Medicare with limited income and assets may qualify for help paying Medicare costs. MassHealth offers Medicare Savings Programs (MSP), also known as MassHealth Buy-In (MHBI) to help with these costs.
 
The Medicare Savings Program can help pay some out-of-pocket costs, including:
 
  • Monthly Medicare Part B premium
  • Prescription drug costs through the Part D Extra Help program, which individuals automatically qualify for with a Medicare Savings Program
  • In certain cases, out-of-pocket Part A and Part B costs, such as coinsurance and deductibles
  • In certain cases, Part A premium, if applicable
 
Effective March 1, 2022, the MSP income and asset standard increased to:
 
Note: The income amounts may change as of March 1 of each year.
The asset amounts may change as of January 1 of each year.
 
Additionally, the Assistance with Medicare Costs Medicare Savings (also known as MassHealth Buy-In) Program Application was updated March 2022. The application can be used by individuals of any age who are receiving Medicare and are only seeking help with payment of their Medicare premiums and cost sharing.
 
Individuals who want to apply for other MassHealth benefits, (as well as assistance with Medicare costs), call MassHealth Customer Service at (800) 841-2900,
TTY: (800) 497-4648 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled for a different application. Please make sure to print clearly and fill out all sections.
 
Additional Resources
 
The figures are used in determining eligibility for a MassHealth member who lives in a long term-care facility.
 
The figures are used in determining eligibility for a MassHealth member who is aged 65 or older and who lives in the community.
 
The figures in the table are used to determine the minimum-monthly-maintenance-needs allowance (MMMNA) for the community spouse of a MassHealth member who lives in a long-term-care facility.
 
Resource to Help Families and Individuals Access Federal Payments 
 
In 2021 families and individuals with low or no incomes across Massachusetts could get thousands of dollars in federal payments this year due to recent policy changes - even if they have never filed taxes before. Now more than ever, it is important to get money for the families who need it.
 
This money could include any missed Stimulus Payments, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the expanded Child Tax Credit. To get this money, people need to file a tax return. For example - a single parent of 3 children (ages 3, 12, and 15) made $10,000 last year and has not filed taxes before. If they file, they could get over $15,000 in tax payments.
 
If you or if you know families and individuals in need of help accessing these federal payments, contact Sarah McKitterick at the Shah Family Foundation, located at
353 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115. Contact via email at: sarah@shahfoundation.org or phone at 603-479-0836.
 
DESE/DDS Open Interest Period 2022
 
The DESE/DDS Program is a collaboration between the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) for DDS-eligible students who are at risk of a future residential placement.
 
The 2022 Open Interest Period for the DESE/DDS Program is now open and materials for families are available on the DDS website. Interest forms and an informational letter for families in English and Spanish are attached for your convenience.
 
 
The application and information letter are available in Arabic, Cantonese, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Khmer, Nepali, Portuguese (Brazilian), Simplified Chinese, Somali, and Vietnamese on the website link above. If you need a language not found on the website, please let your Regional Family Support Director know. 
 
 
Learn about the program: https://www.mass.gov/dese-dds-program
 
Please help us get the word out to families by sharing broadly. Thank you. 
 
 
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