Sections:
Note: Those from Puerto Rico who will use a birth certificate for this purpose, need to use one issued after July 1, 2010. More information- "New Puerto Rico Birth Certificate Law").
Background
By federal law, as of July 1, 2006 on all new Medicaid (MassHealth in Massachusetts) applications and redeterminations of those claiming to be U.S. Citizens must be accompanied by documentation to verify this status. Formerly self-declaration or affirmation was considered sufficient.
This is a two step verification- applicants must verify citizenship AND identity, i.e., not just that Jane Doe is a citizen, but that the applicant is, in fact, Jane Doe. Verification of citizenship and identity is a one-time activity. Members who have verified
citizenship and identity satisfactorily should not be asked to do so again.
Note: while proof of citizenship is a requirement for MassHealth and Commonwealth Care applicants, the state will allow individuals who are unable to provide proof of identity and citizenship to be approved for Health Safety Net (Free Care).
Social Security Administration Data Match
In March 2011, MassHealth began verifying US citizenship through a data match with the Social Security Administration instead of requiring US citizen applicants to supply documents proving citizenship.
If the social security number system is UNABLE to provide a citizenship match, the citizen-applicant will be enrolled & given 90 days to provide proof of citizenship. No one should be denied based on lack of an SSN match --there are several reasons why the match may not work for all US citizens. See the April 2011 Eligibility Operations Memo describing the new procedures.
The new system will be used for new applicants and at scheduled renewals for US citizens who have not yet verified citizenship.
Acceptable Documentation
Verifying Citizenship requires producing documents that verify both citizenship status and identity. A U.S. passport verifies both since it has a photo. If one does not have a passport there is a hierarchy of preferred documents to verify each.
Non-Citizens
This requirement does NOT change eligibility criteria for immigrants nor what type of coverage they will receive. They have always had to document their immigration status unless they chose not to and are only applying for MassHealth Limited.
The Undocumented
Those who indicate that they are non-citizens should not be asked for proof of citizenship.
Although documentation is required for MassHealth (excluding MassHealth Limited) and Commonwealth Care applicants, Free Care is available to those individuals unable to verify proof of citizenship.
Free Birth Certificates for MassHealth Verification Purposes
The state passed a law providing free copies of Massachusetts birth certificates for MassHealth citizenship verification purposes. Since individuals need to show that their request for a birth certificate is for a MassHealth application, providers can print out this letter on their letterhead for patients to take with them to the Registry (or to mail to the address shown on the letter).
Phone Numbers for Assistance in Obtaining Necessary Documentation
- To receive or renew a Passport: National Passport Information Center, U.S. Department of
State: 1-877-487-2778
- For Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of U.S. Citizenship: U.S. Department of
Homeland Security: 1-800-375-5283 / TTY 1-800-767-1833
- For Massachusetts Birth Certificates: Registry of Vital Records and Statistics,
Massachusetts Department of Public Health: 150 Mount Vernon Street, 1st Floor, Dorchester,
MA 02125-3105, 617-740-2600
- For a Massachusetts Driver’s License or Massachusetts ID card: Massachusetts
Registry of Motor Vehicles: 617-351-4500 / TTY 617-536-7534 or 1-877-768-8833
- General questions: MassHealth Customer Service: 1-800-841-2900 / TTY 1-800-497-4648
Disenrollment of Existing Members
MassHealth announced that starting in the fall of 2008 they will terminate existing members for being unable to obtain proof of citizenship and identity.
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