Important MassHealth Changes Are Coming: What You Should Know

Changes to federal Medicaid law will begin affecting some Massachusetts residents this fall, with additional changes taking effect in 2027. At East End House, we want to help families and individuals understand what is changing, take steps to protect their health coverage, and know where to turn for reliable information and assistance.

Most MassHealth members will not be affected. MassHealth has said it will contact members directly when changes apply to them.

• Make sure MassHealth has your current mailing address, cell phone number and email address.
• Open and read all letters, emails and text messages from MassHealth.
• Respond by the deadlines in any notices you receive.
• Report changes that could affect your coverage, such as changes in income, disability status or pregnancy.
• Use the MassHealth impact screener to learn whether the upcoming federal changes may affect you.
• If you also receive SNAP benefits, pay close attention to notices from the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) and respond to requests for information or recertification.

Beginning October 1, federal law changes which immigrants can qualify for comprehensive Medicaid coverage. Some lawfully present immigrants—including some refugees, people granted asylum, humanitarian parolees and people with certain other immigration statuses—may be affected.

As of October 1, MassHealth currently estimates that approximately 7,300 members could lose comprehensive MassHealth coverage because of these changes. Other forms of health coverage or assistance may remain available depending on an individual’s circumstances.

If you think these changes may apply to you or someone in your family, don’t assume that you will lose all health coverage. Be sure to read any communications you receive from MassHealth and seek help understanding the coverage options that may be available to you. East End House can help connect individuals and families with resources and support based on their specific circumstances. Please reach out to Ryan Montbleau, Senior Director of Community Programs, at ryan@eastendhouse.org, or Christine Del Vecchio at christine@eastendhouse.org or call 617-876-4444. East End House is also adding a new Social Worker and Therapeutic Case Manager to our team in early October, providing another resource for individuals and families who may need support.

Beginning January 1, some MassHealth members ages 19–64 will face new federal work and education requirements.

People subject to the requirement may be able to meet it through work, education, job training or volunteering. For example, qualifying activities can include working or volunteering for at least 80 hours per month, participating in an approved job-training program, or being enrolled at least half-time in an educational program.

Many people will be exempt. Exemptions include certain parents and caregivers, pregnant and postpartum people, people with disabilities or qualifying medical conditions, and other groups. MassHealth will use information it already has when possible to determine whether someone meets or is exempt from the requirements. Because individual circumstances matter, don’t assume that the new requirements apply to you.

Beginning January 1, some members will also have to renew their MassHealth coverage every six months rather than every 12 months.

MassHealth will notify people who are affected. Some members may be renewed automatically. Others will receive a renewal notice, including a blue envelope, and will need to respond.

Responding to these notices is important. Missing paperwork or a deadline could result in coverage ending even when someone may otherwise qualify.

Don’t assume that receiving a notice means that you are no longer eligible. Read it carefully, respond by the deadline.

Beginning January 1, MassHealth estimates that approximately 175,000 Massachusetts residents could ultimately lose coverage as a result of new work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks. These losses will occur over time, and implementation details are still subject to federal guidance.

Importantly, some people who remain eligible for MassHealth could still lose coverage because of paperwork, missed notices, or other administrative barriers.

East End House is not doing this work alone.

We are working alongside the Greater Boston Food Bank, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, City of Cambridge and many community partners as part of a broader effort to help residents understand the changes and connect with assistance.

The Cambridge effort brings together community organizations and other partners around outreach, education, referrals and enrollment assistance. East End House has participated alongside organizations including the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Community Foundation, CEOC, Food For Free, Just-A-Start, Margaret Fuller House, Cambridge Public Schools and others.

Community-based organizations can play an important role as trusted messengers, providing relationships, accessibility and cultural competency that larger systems cannot always replicate.

For East End House, our role is straightforward: share reliable information, help people understand what they may need to do, connect them with appropriate resources, and work alongside our partners to support the community as these changes take effect.

Get Information and Help

Find out whether you may be affected. MassHealth has created a short screener to help members determine whether the federal changes may affect them.

Learn about the new work and education requirements.

Learn about six-month renewals.

Information for immigrants and noncitizens, including changes taking effect October 1, 2026.

Ready-to-use multilingual materials for members and community partners.

MassHealth Customer Service: 800-841-2900
TDD/TTY: 711
Interpreter services are available.

If You Also Receive SNAP Benefits

Federal changes are also affecting SNAP food assistance, including eligibility and work requirements for some recipients. These changes are separate from MassHealth, but many individuals and families receive both benefits.

If you receive SNAP, read notices from DTA carefully, keep your contact information current, and respond to requests for information or recertification. If you are unsure whether a change applies to you, ask for help before assuming that you are no longer eligible.

If you receive both SNAP and MassHealth, information about your SNAP status may also be relevant to whether you meet or are exempt from MassHealth’s new work and education requirements.

Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA): 877-382-2363

The Greater Boston Food Bank’s SNAP Outreach Team can help Massachusetts residents with SNAP applications and existing cases, including checking case status, submitting documents, and helping communicate with the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). For assistance, call 617-598-5022, email snap@gbfb.org, or visit the Greater Boston Food Bank SNAP Outreach and Enrollment page to learn more or request help online. The team is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

As federal changes to MassHealth approach, please contact DTA if you need application assistance; if you cannot reach a caseworker—an issue affecting 77% of calls—reach out to East End House for immediate support.

East End House Assistance

If you have questions or aren’t sure where to begin, East End House can help connect you with information and resources. Contact Ryan Montbleau at ryan@eastendhouse.org or Christine Del Vecchio at christine@eastendhouse.org or call 617-876-4444.

East End House will continue to share updated information and additional resources as soon as they become available.