Mass Health for Elderly: What You Need to Know
Contents
- Introduction: what is Mass Health and who is it for?
- Eligibility requirements for Mass Health
- The benefits of enrolling in Mass Health
- How to enroll in Mass Health
- Mass Health and long-term care
- Mass Health and prescription drugs
- Mass Health and mental health services
- Mass Health and dental care
- Mass Health and vision care
- Wrapping up: key things to remember about Mass Health
If you’re an elderly Massachusetts resident, you may be wondering what your health care options are. Here’s a quick overview of Mass Health, the state’s Medicaid program.
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Introduction: what is Mass Health and who is it for?
Mass Health is a state-funded health insurance program in Massachusetts for low- and moderate-income residents. It is available to adults age 65 and older, as well as to people under age 65 who are blind or have a disability. Residents of any age who meet the program’s income guidelines can also qualify for Mass Health if they are pregnant, have children under the age of 21, or are responsible for caring for a child under the age of 18.
Mass Health pays for a wide range of medical services, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, mental health services, and more. It also covers long-term care services such as nursing home care and home health care.
Eligibility requirements for Mass Health
To be eligible for Mass Health, an elderly person must:
-be a legal resident of Massachusetts;
-be age 65 or older;
-not be currently enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B;
-have an annual income that does not exceed 400% of the federal poverty level; and
-have assets that do not exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a married couple.
The benefits of enrolling in Mass Health
If you are 65 or older, you may be eligible for Mass Health, the state-funded health insurance program in Massachusetts. Mass Health covers a wide range of services, including doctor visits, hospitalizations, prescription drugs, mental health services, and long-term care.
There are many benefits to enrolling in Mass Health, including peace of mind knowing that you have coverage for unexpected health expenses. Mass Health can also help you stay healthy by covering preventive care services like screenings and vaccinations. If you are enrolled in Medicare, Mass Health can help cover your out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and co-pays.
To learn more about Mass Health and see if you are eligible, visit the Mass Health website or call the Senior Care Options hotline at 1-800-462-5540.
How to enroll in Mass Health
Massachusetts residents who are 65 and older may be eligible for MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program. To enroll, you will need to fill out an application and provide proof of citizenship, residency, and income.
If you are eligible for MassHealth, you will be able to choose from a variety of health plans. All plans offer basic coverage, including doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription drugs, and more. You may also be able to choose from optional benefits, such as dental care or long-term care insurance.
Mass Health and long-term care
One of the main services that Mass Health offers is long-term care. This can be immensely helpful for seniors who want to age in place, or who are no longer able to live independently.
There are several different types of long-term care services that Mass Health offers, and they are all designed to help seniors with activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and bathing. These services can be provided in a senior’s home, in an assisted living facility, or in a nursing home.
The first step in enrolling in Mass Health’s long-term care program is to meet with a case manager. This case manager will assess your needs and help you determine which type of long-term care service would be best for you.
For seniors who want to remain in their homes, Mass Health offers home health aides who can come to your home and help you with your daily activities. These aides can also provide companionship, which can be invaluable for seniors who live alone.
For seniors who need more assistance than what home health aides can provide, Mass Health also offers assisted living facilities. These facilities provide 24-hour supervision and support for activities of daily living, as well as social and recreational activities.
Finally, for seniors who need the highest level of care, Mass Health offers nursing home care. Nursing homes provide around-the-clock medical care, as well as assistance with activities of daily living.
Mass Health’s long-term care program can be a lifeline for seniors who want to remain independent and age in place. If you or a loved one is interested in enrolling in this program, please contact a case manager today.
Mass Health and prescription drugs
Massachusetts offers a health insurance program for low and moderate income residents, which is called MassHealth. Elderly residents over the age of 65 may be eligible for MassHealth if they meet certain income and resource requirements.
If you are eligible for MassHealth, you will have access to a wide range of benefits, including prescription drug coverage. There is no monthly premium for MassHealth coverage, and you will only be responsible for paying a small copayment for your prescriptions. In addition, MassHealth will cover the costs of any drugs that are not available through your prescription drug plan.
If you are not eligible for MassHealth, you may still be able to get help with the costs of your prescription drugs through the SeniorCare program. SeniorCare is a state-sponsored prescription drug assistance program that helps Massachusetts residents who are aged 65 and over pay for the costs of their medications. Unlike MassHealth, there is a monthly premium for SeniorCare coverage. However, the premium is much lower than what you would pay for private health insurance and there is no deductible or coinsurance required. To learn more about SeniorCare, please call the ElderHelpline at 1-800- AgeInfo (1-800-243-4636).
Mass Health and mental health services
Mental health services are a vital part of Mass Health, the state’s public health insurance program. Mental health services help Mass Health members with conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Mental health services are covered under Mass Health’s medical assistance program. This means that mental health services are free or low-cost for Mass Health members. Services may be covered in full or in part by Mass Health.
To get mental health services, you must first choose a provider from the list of providers who participate in the Mass Health program. You can find a list of providers on the Mass Health website. Once you have chosen a provider, you will need to schedule an appointment with them.
Mass Health and dental care
There are a number of things to consider when it comes to choosing dental care for elderly patients. While many insurance providers offer dental coverage for seniors, it is important to understand that not all plans are created equal. When comparing dental insurance coverage, be sure to consider the following factors:
-The type of services covered: Some plans may only cover basic dental care, while others will cover more extensive services such as oral surgery or orthodontics.
-The geographic location of the plan: Some plans may only be available in certain states or regions.
-The network of providers: Some plans may only cover care provided by certain dentists or dental groups.
-The maximum benefit amount: This is the maximum amount that the insurer will pay out per year for dental care expenses. Be sure to check this limit before signing up for a plan.
Mass Health offers a number of different plans that provide coverage for seniors, including both basic and comprehensive dental care options. Be sure to explore all of your options before choosing a plan so that you can find one that best meets your needs.
Mass Health and vision care
There are a number of things that you need to know about Mass Health and vision care. For starters, Mass Health is a state-run program that provides health insurance coverage for low- and moderate-income residents of Massachusetts. Elderly residents are eligible for Mass Health if they meet certain income and asset limits.
One of the benefits of Mass Health is that it covers the cost of routine vision care, including annual eye exams and vision screenings. In addition, Mass Health will cover the cost of glasses or contact lenses for Massachusetts residents who need them.
Wrapping up: key things to remember about Mass Health
As you get ready to transition to Mass Health for Elderly, there are a few key things to keep in mind:
-You must be a Massachusetts resident and age 65 or older to be eligible for Mass Health for Elderly.
-You must also have been enrolled in Medicaid for at least one day prior to turning 65.
-Your income and assets will be taken into consideration when determining your eligibility for Mass Health for Elderly.
-If you are eligible for Mass Health for Elderly, you will be automatically enrolled in the program and will not need to take any additional steps.
-Mass Health for Elderly provides comprehensive health coverage, including medical, dental, mental health, and prescription drug benefits.
If you have any questions about Mass Health for Elderly or your eligibility for the program, please contact the Mass Health Enrollment Center at 1-800-841-2900.