State Announces Outreach Efforts to Help Older Adults Maintain Healthcare Coverage

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll administration recently announced that MassHealth will provide $1.25 million in grant funding to help older adults and those who need assistance in completing the redetermination process. The grant funding will also fund enrollment events across the state, particularly for those who do not have access to existing supports.

Twenty-three faith- and community-based organizations will receive funding through subgrants awarded by Health Care for All to train existing staff to become certified application counselors, who are certified individuals who can help MassHealth members with renewals and receive specialized instruction on assisting older adults. The application process and eligibility criteria for many people over age 65 are more complex than for many other applicants.

MassHealth is also working with Health Care for All and Senior Whole Health by Molina Healthcare to hold special enrollment events for older adults in coordination with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs’ senior centers and aging-services access points. These events are geared to help those over age 65 receive enrollment assistance in their communities from trusted organizations.

“MassHealth is focused on supporting members through the redetermination process and finding new ways to reach all those who may need assistance with redetermination in their own community,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh said. “This funding will increase the mobility and capacity of community organizations to bolster the existing infrastructure that supports redetermination efforts, while ensuring we are able to reach and help all members with the process. This is a massive undertaking, and we are determined to make it easier for our members to provide the information necessary to maintain healthcare coverage.”