Last week MassHealth began mailing its members new coverage cards in preparation for the implementation of their new Medicaid Management Information System (“MMIS” – details: mass.gov/masshealth/newmmis). We would like to thank MassHealth for some important improvements in connection with these new cards.
First, the new MassHealth cards will no longer list the member’s social security numbers. Instead, each MassHealth member will now have a unique permanent identification number. This is an important protection against identity theft. Another improvement is that each MassHealth member will have their own card, rather than previous practice that provided one shared card per household.
General MassHealth procedure is to terminate members whose mail is returned as undeliverable. Given the turmoil around housing, particularly for low-income people, some concern was raised about extending this policy to the mailout of the new cards. We applaud MassHealth for deciding not terminate members whose new cards are returned as undeliverable. Instead, the undeliverable member ID cards will be forwarded to a special project unit at MassHealth for investigation and records update. This will allow over one million MassHealth members to ensure the continuation of the quality healthcare coverage that they depend on.
Despite the tough state budget situation, which will require some real pain, we are grateful that MassHealth and the Patrick administration continue to focus on fulfilling the promise of health reform.
Kate Bicego
