MassHealth Essential Has Waiting List

As of early June, MassHealth officials have closed enrollment in the MassHealth Essential program. Applications are still being accepted, but are being processed for Free Care eligibility only and placed on a waiting list for MassHealth Essential.

This enrollment freeze applies only to long-term unemployed persons applying for MassHealth Essential. It does not apply to elderly and disabled aliens with special status, whose benefits fall in the Essential category or any other category of MassHealth eligibility.

There is a possibility that this situation could be temporary. Depending on the final FY2006 state budget, there may be sufficient money in the MassHealth Essential program to expand the current caseload substantially above its present limits. But the state would also need to apply to the federal government to ask that the enrollment cap be lifted or raised. Another complicating factor is that MassHealth Essential is currently funded on a hospital fiscal year cycle (which runs until October 1 st). Even if money is appropriated in the state budget, that money could only be spent beginning in October.

- Adapted from e-mail “ MassHealth Essential is closed”, from Kim Simonian, MPH, Health Access and Community Partnerships, Community Benefit Programs, Partners HealthCare June 06, 2005

06/2005