CMS Approves Amendment to Massachusetts's MassHealth Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Plan Section 1115 Demonstration

Great news! CMS approved the amendments to the 1115 Demonstration today! 

EOHHS's press release is here listing some of the key changes.

Changes include 90 days of pre-release services for MassHealth members who are incarcerated (MA will be the 4th state in the US to win approval for pre-release services), funding for health-related housing for families in EA shelter and for medical respite for up to 6 months, funding for the expansion of ConnectorCare from 300% FPL to 500% FPL ( the expansion is currently in the first year of a 2-year pilot), 12-months continuous eligibility for adults age 19 or older (12 months' continuous eligibility for children began Jan 1, 2024), 3-month retroactive eligibility for MassHealth members currently limited to 10 days under the existing waiver, and more.

The actual effective date of these new policies will be phased in over time as various implementation plans and other details are worked out between the agency and CMS. More here.