The MassHealth Application
MassHealth has a lot of complicated rules, and the applicant has to file a detailed application in
order to try to get financial help from it. The MassHealth application process can take a few
months, and if one mistake is made on the application it can slow down the approval by weeks
or even months.
The MassHealth application process involves the following:
Gathering all of the essential documents and information, including financial statements
for the past 60 months (five years), copies of current health insurance premium bills,
and proof of income
Completing the long application accurately (application is 18 pages plus)
Communicating with MassHealth representatives
Ensuring that applications, appeals, and related paperwork are submitted on time
During the stressful time of trying to get a loved one into a nursing home, it’s easy to make a
mistake while filling out the application. Just one mistake during this process can slow down the
approval by weeks or even months, so applicants might want to consider getting assistance
with the application.
Sometimes a nursing home staff person will offer to complete the application and submit it.
Just make sure that it’s someone who has had successful experiences with the application. A
skilled elder lawyer who knows the ins and outs of MassHealth and all the laws surrounding can
also be very helpful in getting the application done correctly and in a timely fashion.
It's a Good Idea to Plan Ahead When Possible
Because MassHealth is only available to seniors with very low assets and income, it’s beneficial
to plan ahead for eligibility. Massachusetts elder law attorneys who are well-versed in the
methods used to protect assets can help you be eligible for MassHealth when it becomes
essential for your well-being. Some asset protection ideas:
Creating irrevocable trusts
Using strategic gifting
Converting countable assets into exempt ones
Engaging in legal spend-downs
Using annuities and long-term care insurance
No one likes to think about mortality or incapacity that requires long-term care in nursing
homes, but preparing for them in case they happen can provide you with a sense of control and
self-determination, as well as the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your hard-
earned assets and your family’s stability will be preserved.
Contributor: Heritage Law Firm 2023-https://maheritagelawcenter.com/