COMMONHEALTH: NEW COVERAGE FOR WORKING DISABLED, 65 AND OVER

The Division of Medical Assistance has revised its regulations to ensure that working disabled adults aged 65 and over can access CommonHealth. "Working" for this purpose is defined as working 40 or more hours per month. CommonHealth does not impose an asset limit to qualify. Nor does CommonHealth have an income maximum, but over a certain amount the member would have to pay a deductible and possibly a premium. To qualify for other MassHealth programs those 65 and older would be subject to income AND ASSET limits (while those under 65 are only subject to income limits). So the disabled who are turning 65 and are working the required number of hours have an option other than having to "spend-down" assets to qualify for MassHealth. New "over 65" applicants would need to complete the disability review process.

Additional regulation changes also now give the "under 65" CommonHealth members who do not have other health insurance the choice of joining a MassHealth managed care program where previously they were enrolled strictly in the fee-for-service program. The benefits of the two programs are similar- the choice is a matter of patient preference

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