Why attend?

The 2006 Massachusetts health reform law and the MassHealth waiver have created programs that offer affordable health coverage for almost all low income state residents, but navigating the eligibility system has gotten a lot more complicated. This program is designed to give outreach workers, social workers, providers, and advocates a nuts and bolts overview of the eligibility requirements of the main health care programs and how to assist their patients and clients in becoming enrolled and maintaining coverage. It will be helpful for new advocates as well as experienced advocates looking for a review and update.

You will learn...

Morning Session: The morning will cover the application and basic eligibility requirements for Commonwealth Care and all types of MassHealth for low-income individuals under age sixty-five, including MassHealth Standard, CommonHealath, Family Assistance, Basic, Essential and Limited. Topics will include financial eligibility, citizenship and immigration status, categorical eligibility for MassHealth, and "crowd out" rules regarding access to private insurance in Commonwealth Care.

Afternoon Workshops - 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. (Choose One): Both workshops will incllude exercises and opportuniity for question-and answer and discussion. Both will also cover the affordability test for the individual mandate penalty in tax year 2008.

Workshop I: Other Health Problems This workshop will cover health programs for those who do not qualify for the programs described in the morning session, including the Health Safety Net and the Medical Hardship program (Free Care), the Medical Security Plan, the Children's Medical Security Plan, and Healthy Start.

Workshop II: Troubleshooting eligibility problems This workshop will focus on how to solve eligibility problems that arise in MassHealth and Commonwealth Care, including erroneous denials and terminations, premium nonpayment, and the process for requesting a fair hearing.

Written Materials

Participants will receive detailed materials, including the MassHealth Advocacy Guide, 2009 edition, which explains the MassHealth program and provides advocacy tips in an easy-to-read format. This training is one in a series of Basic Benefits Trainings. Go to http://www.mcle.org/rogram-calendar/mlri_trainings.cfm for more information.