MASSHEALTH CITIZENSHIP VERIFICATION GRACE PERIOD

In January Governor Patrick extended the grace period for anyone who had been unable to submit their proof of citizenship and identity for MassHealth. This extension translates to an extra 60 days for applicants under 65 and an extra 30 days for seniors. The state had already sent termination notices to 4,000 individuals before this grace period was extended, but these folks were supposed to have continued to appear as “active” in REVS.

Unfortunately, at least some of these individuals are actually showing up as inactive in REVS. MassHealth is planning to send out notices to reinstate these folks, but in the meantime, they are showing up as inactive for MassHealth and Free Care.

Kim Simonian, MPH of Partners Community Benefits asks that staff please be on the lookout for these individuals. If you learn that patients receive services during a period of time where they should have been covered due to this extension, please inform her. Also, please let her know if you recall having had applicants or members who have already been terminated for providing documentation that wasn't satisfactory. Community Benefits is trying to document cases where individuals have lost coverage due to the citizenship and identity requirement.

-Adapted from e-mail “proof of citizenship – terminations” from Kim Simonian, MPH, Health Access and Community Partnerships, Community Benefit Programs, Partners HealthCare, February 06, 2007.

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