MedicaidAdministrativeMedium impact
Psychiatric Inpatient Hospital Bulletin 28: Discharge Planning to Support Certain Family Assistance Members in Need of Long-Term Services and Supports
MassHealth·MA · Psychiatry·Provider Bulletin
Effective date
May 1, 2025
We identified it
Jun 18, 2026
Summary
MassHealth created a new Family Assistance LTSS Pathway effective May 1, 2025, allowing Family Assistance members who require long-term services and supports after psychiatric hospitalization to upgrade to MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth coverage. Psychiatric inpatient hospitals must now conduct specific clinical assessments (MDS-HC and NF Level of Care Form) and assist with application paperwork for qualifying members who need community LTSS or long-term facility care.
Action Required
Immediately for admissions on/after May 1, 2025: Psychiatric inpatient hospital discharge planning teams must identify Family Assistance members requiring LTSS, conduct MDS-HC assessments and complete NF Level of Care Forms as soon as clinically appropriate, assist members with FA LTSS Pathway application paperwork per Appendices 1 and 2, and monitor EVS system for coverage upgrades to Standard or CommonHealth. Failure to complete required assessments may prevent eligible members from accessing needed long-term services.