There’s a health care plan called senior care options for Massachusetts seniors. However, these plans aren’t your typical Medicare plan. While not all Massachusetts seniors qualify, some do. It’s worth the review to see if you qualify. Why? Well, we will get more to that in a minute. However, to give you an idea, these health care plans offer robust services at $0 out-of-pocket cost in most cases.

Sounds good? Yes, at $0 out-of-pocket costs, we certainly got your attention.

In this article, we introduce senior care options. We then discuss how Massachusetts seniors qualify and approved for senior care options.

We discuss:

• Why You Should Care About Senior Care Options?
• What Are Senior Care Options?
• How Seniors Get Approved For Senior Care Options
• What If I Don’t Qualify?
• Summary On The Approval Process
• Now You Know How Seniors Get Approved For Senior Care Options

Let’s get into why you should care about Senior Care Options.

Why Should You Care About Senior Care Options?

You might think senior care options are just the same as any other Medicare plans.

That’s not the case.

There are a number of advantages senior care options provide to Massachusetts seniors.

Do you like $0 premiums? Of course!

How about no copay or out-of-pocket costs on your prescription drugs?

Who hates paying for dental care? Right! Preventative services are covered, but also implants, bridges, root canals, and more. They are covered 100%. (Yes, no out-of-pocket costs for you!)

$0 spent on gym/fitness memberships.

Money towards healthy food purchases.

$0 out-of-pocket costs on your hospitalizations, doctor offices, labs, etc.

Money for over-the-counter medication and other necessities

Respite care for caregivers (i.e. your son, daughter, or other loved one taking care of you)

Long-term services

And, a lot more. Essentially, there are no or minimal out-of-pocket costs in regards to your health insurance.

How does this all sound? Great, right!

It sounds great, John, you say. But, what is the catch?

Well, as we said before, not all Massachusetts seniors qualify for senior care options. First, let’s go into detail on what senior care options are. Next, we will discuss the eligibility. Finally, we discuss the approval process.

What Are Senior Care Options in Massachusetts?

Senior Care Options (or, SCO plans) are comprehensive health insurance plans available to MassHealth members. MassHealth is Massachusetts’s Medicaid program.

These Senior Care Options combine the elements MassHealth and Medicare services for low-income seniors in Massachusetts. It is a Special Needs Plan (commonly referred to as D-SNP in Medicare terms).

The SCO plan coordinates your care. You will have a plan manager and a team of specialists helping and assisting with your care.

You may wonder, why? Well, it is no secret that it costs the state a lot of money to care for people on MassHealth.

These SCO plans help keep you out of the hospital while establishing a healthy lifestyle.

Of course, not every Massachusetts resident qualifies for Senior Care Options. Let’s discuss eligibility and the approval process.

How Massachusetts Residents Get Approved For Senior Care Options

In order to qualify and approved for Senior Care Options, seniors must:

• Reside in Massachusetts and the service area the plan operates
• Be age 65 or older
• Have MassHealth Standard Plan

Additionally, the application process is relatively simple. There’s no underwriting or anything like that, other than MassHealth Standard verification and a few other things.

So, the middle class here in Massachusetts won’t qualify for senior care options, you say.

That’s right. These Senior Care Options plans are really for low-income seniors living in Massachusetts.

Did you notice that, unlike other states, Medicare is not a qualifying factor? (If you have Medicare, the SCO plan pays for your Part B premium).

However, MassHealth Standard is a qualifying factor.

Let’s look into MassHealth and MassHealth Standard in a little more detail.

What Are The MassHealth Types?

There are six types of coverage under the Massachusetts Medicaid program, MassHealth, for eligible residents. They are:

• Standard
• CommonHealth
• Limited
• Premium Assistance
• Family Assistance
• CarePlus

We are only going to discuss the qualification of MassHealth Standard as that is one of the main requirements for SCO approval.

What Is MassHealth Standard And How To Qualify?

MassHealth Standard offers the most comprehensive services for Massachusetts residents. It will cover:

• hospitalization
• doctor visits
• lab tests
• doctor visits
• long-term services
• and more

Qualification for the MassHealth Standard program depends on your income against the federal poverty level. Depending on your demographic and family size, you can not earn more than 100% to 150% of the federal poverty level.

For example, a single person age 66 cannot receive more than $1,061 per month. As you can tell, that is not a lot of money.

So, Massachusetts seniors qualify for senior care options if they qualify for MassHealth Standard.

Why Don’t I Just Remain On MassHealth Standard?

You may be thinking, “John. I like everything with MassHealth Standard. Why do I need a SCO plan?”

Well, the choice is ultimately up to you. However, the senior care options plans contain enhanced benefits.

Additionally, keep in mind:

• There is no cost to you.
• You still have to go to your doctors, so it is very important your providers are in the plan. We will check for you.
• You receive additional benefits to maintain a healthy lifestyle
• The SCO plan assigns a case management team to help with your medical care and needs
• And, a lot more

It’s no cost. So, just enroll in a plan in your service area.

What If I Don’t Qualify For Senior Care Options Here In Massachusetts?

If you don’t qualify for any of the senior care options available in Massachusetts, there is one other option.

That option is called Prescription Advantage. It is the state’s pharmaceutical assistance program.

There are different guidelines when it comes to Prescription Advantage. We have helped many middle-class Massachusetts residents enroll in Prescription Advantage. The good news is when you enroll, you generally have an election period where you can enroll in a different prescription drug plan, should your needs change.

Summary Of How To Get Approved For Senior Care Options In Massachusetts

Here’s a quick summary of what we discussed.

Comprehensive health insurance, called senior care options, exists for a certain class on seniors here in Massachusetts.

In order to qualify, you must:

• Be 65 or older
• Live in the service area
• Have MassHealth Standard

We went over some of the benefits of MassHealth Standard. It makes sense to enroll in the SCO plan as well. Why? Because you receive additional benefits over and above what MassHealth Standard provides.

If you don’t qualify for MassHealth Standard, and therefore senior care options, we can look into other options. Another option, sometimes overlooked, is the state’s Prescription Advantage program. This program has higher income limits and no resource (asset) test. You might receive some help with your prescription drugs. Hey, some help is better than no help.

Now You Know The Approval Process For Senior Care Options In Massachusetts

Now you know how to get approved for the senior care options here in Massachusetts. Would you like to learn more? I am happy to discuss with you. If you are calling on behalf of a parent or relative, we are happy to discuss and even have a joint video conference. You can contact us or use the form below. You can also set up an appointment right on my calendar.

We can explain how the application and enrollment process works and answer any questions you have.

We are a different agency compared to others. As a CFP® Professional, I have to have your best interests. Always. And, we do. Additionally, there’s no risk of contacting us. At the very least, if we can’t help you, you’ll learn something new, and we will part as friends. I am serious about that. We will even help you the best we can.