130 CMR 515.001
Authorized Representative (1)(a), a provider, staff member, or volunteer of such
organization must not have a conflict of interest and must affirm that they will adhere to 42 CFR
part 431, subpart F.
Blindness. A visual impairment as defined in Title XVI of the Social Security Act. Generally,
“blindness” means visual acuity with correction of 20/200 or less in the better eye, or a peripheral
field of vision contracted to a 10° radius or less regardless of the visual acuity.
Burial Trust. A trust established by an individual solely for funeral expenses, burial expenses, or
both.
Business Day. Any day during which the MassHealth agency’s offices are open to serve the public.
Caretaker Relative. An adult who is the primary caregiver for a child; is related to the child by
blood, adoption, or marriage; or is a spouse or former spouse of one of those relatives, and who lives
in the same home as that child, provided that neither parent is living in the home.
Case File. The collection of written documents and electronic information required to determine
eligibility and to provide benefits to applicants and members.
Certified Application Counselor (CAC). An individual who is certified by the MassHealth agency
and the Connector to provide assistance in completing applications and renewal forms.
Citizen. See 130 CMR 518.002: U.S. Citizens.
Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, Health Connector, or Connector. The entity
established pursuant to M.G.L. c. 176Q, § 2.
Community Resident. A person who lives in a noninstitutional setting in the community.
Competent Medical Authority. A physician or psychiatrist licensed by any state, a psychologist
licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or both.
ConnectorCare. The program administered by the Health Connector pursuant to M.G.L. c. 176Q to
provide premium assistance payments and point-of-service cost-sharing subsidies to eligible
individuals enrolled in health plans.
Countable Income. The types of income that are considered in the determination of eligibility.
Countable-income Amount. Gross income less certain business expenses and income deductions.
Couple. Two persons married to each other according to the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
Coverage Start Date (or Start Date of Coverage). The date medical coverage begins.
Coverage Type. A scope of medical services, other benefits, or both that is available to members
who meet specific eligibility criteria. MassHealth coverage types include the following:
MassHealth Standard (Standard), MassHealth Limited (Limited), MassHealth Family Assistance
(Family Assistance), MassHealth Senior Buy-in (Senior Buy-in), and MassHealth Buy-in (Buy-in).
The scope of services or covered benefits for each coverage type is found at 130 CMR 450.105:
Coverage Types.
Curing of a Transfer. The return following the transfer for less than fair market value of a portion,
or the full uncompensated value, of a resource to the individual.
Day. A calendar day, unless a business day is specified.
Deductible. The total dollar amount of incurred medical expenses that an applicant whose income
exceeds MassHealth income standards must be responsible for before the applicant is eligible for
MassHealth, as described at 130 CMR 520.028: Eligibility for a Deductible.
Deductible Period. A specified six-month period within which an applicant for MassHealth whose
income exceeds MassHealth income standards may become eligible through incurred and/or paid
medical expenses equaling or exceeding the deductible of the applicant or their spouse.
Disability Evaluation Services. A unit that consists of physicians and disability evaluators who
determine permanent and total disability of an applicant or member seeking coverage under a
MassHealth program for which disability is a criterion, using criteria established by the Social
Security Administration (SSA) under Title XVI and criteria established under state law. This unit
may be a part of a state agency or under contract with a state agency.
Disabled. Having a permanent and total disability as defined in Title XVI of the Social Security
Act.
Eligibility Process. Activities conducted for the purpose of determining, redetermining, and
maintaining the eligibility of a MassHealth applicant or member.
Fair Hearing. An administrative, adjudicatory proceeding conducted according to 130 CMR
610.000: MassHealth: Fair Hearing Rules to determine the legal rights, duties, benefits, or
privileges of applicants and members.
Fair Market Value. An estimate of the value of a resource if sold at the prevailing price. For
transferred resources, the fair market value is based on the prevailing price at the time of transfer.
Family Group. A family, couple, or individual.
Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Income standards issued annually in the Federal Register to account
for the last calendar year's increase in prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index. The
MassHealth agency within its discretion updates the FPL standards accordingly each year in March.
Fee-for-service. A method of paying for medical services provided by any MassHealth participating
provider with no limit on provider choice.
Global Developmental Skills. A child's average developmental skill level, taking into account the
physical, psychological, motor, intellectual, emotional, communicative, and social aspects of the
child's functional capabilities.
Grantor. An individual or spouse who creates a trust.
Gross Income. The total money earned or unearned, such as wages, salaries, rents, pensions, or
interest, received from any source without regard to deductions.
Guardian. An individual or entity appointed as guardian by the Probate and Family Court under the
provisions of M.G.L. c. 201.
Guardianship Fees and Related Expenses. Fees for guardianship services and incurred expenses that
are essential to enable an incompetent applicant or member to gain access to or consent to medical
treatment.
Health Insurance. Coverage of healthcare services by a health-insurance company, a hospital-
service corporation, a medical-services corporation, a managed care organization, or Medicare.
Coverage of healthcare services by MassHealth, Health Safety Net, or Children’s Medical Security
Plan (CMSP) is not considered health insurance.
Health Safety Net (HSN). A source of funding for certain healthcare under 101 CMR 613.00:
Health Safety Net Eligible Services and 101 CMR 614.00: Health Safety Net Payments and
Funding.
Incarceration. The confinement in a penal institution of an individual. An individual is not
incarcerated if they are on parole, probation, or home release and do not return to the institution for
overnight stays.
Income Deductions. Specified deductions, as described in 130 CMR 520.011 through 520.014, that
may be made from the gross income of an applicant or member.
Incompetent Applicant or Member. An applicant or member who has been adjudicated as
incompetent and in need of a guardian by the Probate and Family Court under the provisions of
M.G.L. c. 201.
Institution (Medical). A public or private facility providing acute, chronic, or long-term care, unless
otherwise defined within 130 CMR 515.000 through 522.000: Other Division Programs. This
includes acute inpatient hospitals, licensed nursing facilities, state schools, intermediate-care
facilities for the mentally retarded (ICF-MRs), public or private institutions for mental diseases,
freestanding hospices, and chronic-disease and rehabilitation hospitals.
Institutionalization. Placement of an individual in one or more medical institutions, where
placement lasts or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 30 days.
Interpreter. A person who translates for an applicant or member who has limited English
proficiency or a hearing impairment.
Irrevocable Trust. A trust that cannot be in any way revoked by the grantor.
Jointly Held Resources. Resources that are owned by an individual in common with another person
or persons in a joint tenancy, tenancy in common, or similar arrangement.
Lawfully Present Immigrants. See 130 CMR 518.003(A): Lawfully Present Immigrants.
Life Estate. An estate established when all of the remainder legal interest in a property is
transferred to another, while the legal interest for life rights to use, occupy, or obtain income or
profits from the property is retained.
Limited English Proficiency. Persons who are unable to communicate effectively in English
because their primary language is not English and they have not developed fluency in English.
Look-back Period. A period of consecutive months that the MassHealth agency may review for
transfers of resources to determine if a period of ineligibility for payment of nursing-facility services
should be imposed.
Lump-sum Payment. A one-time-only payment that represents either a windfall payment or the
accumulation of recurring countable income, such as retroactive unemployment compensation or
federal veterans’ retirement benefits.
MassHealth Agency. The Executive Office of Health and Human Services in accordance with the
provisions of M.G.L. c. 118E.
Medical Benefits. Payment for medical services provided to a MassHealth member.
Member. A person determined by the MassHealth agency to be eligible for MassHealth.
Navigator. An individual who is certified by the Health Connector to assist an applicant with
electronic and paper applications to establish eligibility and enroll in coverage through the Health
Connector. In addition, a navigator provides outreach and education about insurance options offered
through the Health Connector.
Nonqualified Individuals Lawfully Present. See 130 CMR 518.003(A)(3): Nonqualified Individuals
Lawfully Present.
Nonqualified Person Residing under Color of Law (nonqualified PRUCOL). See 130 CMR
518.003(C): Nonqualified Persons Residing under Color of Law (Nonqualified PRUCOLs).
Nursing-facility Resident. An individual who is a resident of a nursing facility; is a resident in any
institution, including an ICF/MR, for whom payment is based on a level of care equivalent to that
received in a nursing facility; is in an acute hospital awaiting placement in a nursing facility; or lives
in the community and would be institutionalized without community-based services provided in
accordance with 130 CMR 519.007(B): Home- and Community-based Services Waiver—Frail
Elder.
Other Noncitizens. See 130 CMR 518.003(D): Other Noncitizens.
Patient-paid Amount. The amount that a member in a long-term-care facility must contribute to the
cost of care under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Period of Ineligibility. The period of time during which the MassHealth agency denies or withholds
payment for nursing-facility services because the individual has transferred resources for less than
fair market value.
Permanent and Total Disability. A disability as defined under Title XVI of the Social Security Act
or under applicable state laws.
(1) For Adults and 18-year-olds
(a) The condition of an individual 18 years of age or older who is unable to engage in any
substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental
impairment that
1. can be expected to result in death; or
2. has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12
months.
(b) For purposes of 130 CMR 515.001: Permanent and Total Disability, an individual 18
years of age or older is determined to be disabled only if their physical or mental
impairments are of such severity that the individual is not only unable to do their previous
work, but cannot, considering age, education, and work experience, engage in any other
kind of substantial gainful work that exists in the national economy, regardless of whether
such work exists in the immediate area in which the individual lives, whether a specific job
vacancy exists, or whether the individual would be hired if they applied for work. "Work
that exists in the national economy" means work that exists in significant numbers, either in
the region where such an individual lives or in several regions of the country.
(2) For Children Younger than 18 Years Old. The condition of an individual younger than 18
years old who has any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, or combination
of impairments, that causes marked and severe functional limitations, as defined in Title XVI of
the Social Security Act, and can be expected to cause death or can be expected to last for a
continuous period of not less than 12 months. Disability for children eligible for CommonHealth
under 130 CMR 519.012(B): Certain Disabled Institutionalized and Immigrant Children Who
Are Noncitizens is determined in accordance with the definition for permanent and total
disability for children younger than 18 years old in 130 CMR 501.001: Definition of Terms.
Personal Needs Allowance (PNA). The designated portion of monthly income that a person in long-
term care is allowed to retain for personal expenses. In some instances, the MassHealth agency pays
all or a portion of the PNA to the member. The PNA must not be used for payment of any item
included in the daily rate at the long-term-care facility.
Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) Account. An account administered by a long-term-care facility
on behalf of a member. Regulations regarding the administration of PNA accounts are contained in
130 CMR 456.601 through 456.615.
Pooled Trust. A trust that meets all the following criteria as determined by the MassHealth agency.
(1) The trust was created by a nonprofit organization.
(2) A separate account is maintained for each beneficiary of the trust, but the assets of the trust
are pooled for investment and management purposes.
(3) The account in a pooled trust was created for the sole benefit of the individual by the
individual, the individual's parents or grandparents, or a legal guardian or court acting on behalf
of the individual.
(4) The trust provides that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will receive amounts
remaining in the account upon the death of the individual up to the amount paid by the
MassHealth agency for services to the individual. The trust may retain reasonable and
appropriate amounts as determined by the MassHealth agency.
(5) The individual was disabled at the time their account in the pool was created.
Premium Tax Credit. Payment made pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 36B on behalf of an eligible individual
to reduce the costs of a health benefit plan premium to the individual.
Promissory Note. A written promise to pay another.
Protected Noncitizens. See 130 CMR 518.003(B): Protected Noncitizens.
Qualified Health Plan (QHP). A health plan licensed under M.G.L. Chapter 175, 176A, 176B, or
176G that has received the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector’s Seal of Approval as
meeting the criteria under 45 CFR § 155.1000 and is offered through the Health Connector in
accordance with the provisions of 45 CFR § 155.1010.
Qualified Noncitizens. See 130 CMR 518.003(A)(1): Qualified Noncitizens.
Qualified Noncitizens Barred. See 130 CMR 518.003(A)(2): Qualified Noncitizens Barred.
Quality Control. A system of continuing review to measure the accuracy of eligibility decisions.
Reapplication. The MassHealth agency’s reopening of the application process when the application
has been denied pursuant to 130 CMR 516.001(C): Receipt of Corroborative Information.
Redetermination. A review of a member’s circumstances to establish whether they remain eligible
for benefits.
Resources. All income and assets owned by the individual or their spouse. For the purposes of
determining eligibility, resources include income and assets to which the individual or spouse is, or
would be, entitled whether or not they are actually received. This term has the same meaning as
assets as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1396p(e)(1).
Reverse Mortgage. A loan on the equity value of a house paid in installments by a lender to the
homeowner who is 60 years of age or older.
Revocable Trust. A trust whose terms allow the grantor to take action to regain any of the property
or funds in the trust.
Senior Application or Application. The request for health benefits for an individual who is 65 years
of age and older, or not living in the community, that is received by the MassHealth agency and
includes all required information and a signature by the applicant or their authorized representative.
Senior Care Organization. An organization that participates in MassHealth under a contract with the
MassHealth agency and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide a comprehensive
network of medical, healthcare, and social-service providers that integrates all components of care,
either directly or through subcontracts. Senior care organizations are responsible for providing
enrollees with the full continuum of Medicare- and MassHealth-covered services.
Skilled-nursing Services. The planning, provision, and evaluation of goal-oriented nursing care that
requires specialized knowledge and skills acquired under the established curriculum of a school of
nursing approved by a board of registration in nursing. Such services include only services that must
be provided by a registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, or a licensed vocational nurse.
Special-needs Trust. A trust that meets all the following criteria as determined by the MassHealth
agency.
(1) The trust was created for a disabled individual younger than 65 years old.
(2) The trust was created for the sole benefit of the individual by their parent, grandparent, or
legal guardian or a court.
(3) The trust provides that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will receive amounts
remaining in the account upon the death of the individual up to the amount paid by the
MassHealth agency for services to the individual.
(4) When the member has lived in more than one state, the trust must provide that the funds
remaining upon the death of the member are distributed to each state in which the member
received Medicaid based on each state’s proportionate share of the total amount of Medicaid
benefits paid by all states on the member’s behalf.
Spouse. A person married to the applicant or member according to the laws of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
Stream of Income. Income received on a regular basis.
Substantial Gainful Activity. Generally, employment that provides a set amount of gross earnings
as determined by the SSA under Title XVI of the Social Security Act.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program. A program that provides financial assistance to
needy persons who are 65 years of age or older, blind, or disabled. This program is established
under Title XVI of the Social Security Act and is administered by the SSA. Such persons
automatically receive MassHealth.
Tax Dependent. A qualifying child or qualifying relative, other than the taxpayer or spouse, who
entitles the taxpayer to claim a dependency exemption. An individual who files a return but is
claimed as a dependent by someone else is still a tax dependent.
Tax Filer. Any individual, including their spouse if married filing jointly, who intends to file a
federal tax return for the year in which a member of the tax household is seeking or receives benefits
and who claims an exemption for themselves. An individual who files a return but is claimed as a
dependent by someone else is still a tax dependent.
Tax Household. All members who are claimed on the tax return, including the tax filer(s) and all
dependents.
Third Party. Any individual, entity, or program that is or may be responsible for paying all or part
of the expenditures for medical benefits.
Trust. A legal device satisfying the requirements of state law that places the legal control of
property or funds with a trustee. It also includes, but is not limited to, any legal instrument, device,
or arrangement that is similar to a trust, including transfers of property by a grantor to an individual
or a legal entity with fiduciary obligations so that the property is held, managed, or administered for
the benefit of the grantor or others. Such arrangements include, but are not limited to, escrow
accounts, pension funds, and similar devices as managed by an individual or entity with fiduciary
obligations.
Trustee. Any individual or legal entity that holds or manages a trust.
Uncompensated Value. The difference between the fair market value of the resource or interest in
the resource at the time of transfer less any outstanding debts and the actual amount the individual
received for the resource. The MassHealth agency uses the uncompensated value in the calculation
of the period of ineligibility.