Last month we reported on a new program that created a new eligibility category for MassHealth for women who were diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through one of the DPH's women's health network sites. This week MassHealth announced that in late December MassHealth was notified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (federal level) that those who do not meet the citizenship requirements will NOT be eligible for MassHealth Limited based on this category.

This does not change MassHealth Limited in any other way. Children under 19, pregnant women, parents of a child under 19 or the disabled who would, except for immigration issues, be eligible for MassHealth Standard are still eligible. The expansion had originally created an additional category under which someone could qualify. It was this additional category which was just rescinded.

It also does not change the rest of the new program- those women who are diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer through DPH's women's health network and who are un- or underinsured with incomes at or below 250% FPL may be eligible for MassHealth Standard through the PCC plan for the duration of their treatment.

Mass. Law Reform Institute is interested in cases of women who are on MassHealth Limited who also have cancer as a way to learn more about how many undocumented women are affected by the exclusion and what the value of the Limited coverage would be in order to decide whether to take this on as a case. If you have clients willing to share their story (can be done anonymously) please contact Victoria Pulos, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute at 617-357-0700 Ext. 311 or via email: vpulos@mlri.org.