What to Know, What to Do, and Where to Seek Help
The Trump Administration’s changes to Medicaid and subsidized insurance are expected to impact over 200,000 people in MA who have MassHealth (Medicaid) or ConnectorCare (subsidized insurance). These changes will restrict eligibility and add work and renewal requirements.
- Learn more about changes to MassHealth
- Learn more about the changes to ConnectorCare
- For more background information, check out our previous post.
MassHealth
There are many changes that will be impacting certain MassHealth members over the next several months. The biggest changes include:
- October 2026: Eligibility will be restricted or eliminated for certain lawfully present immigrants
- January 2027: New work and education requirements and more frequent renewals for some members
MassHealth will reach out to members directly if you are affected.
- Find out if you are affected by completing their short screener.
- Follow the latest information on MassHealth’s website.
Eligibility:
Eligibility will be restricted or eliminated for certain immigrants.
Learn about changes impacting noncitizens.
MassHealth will be eliminated for:
- Refugees
- Granted parole for at least 1 year
- Granted asylum or related relief
- From Iraq and Afghanistan on special immigrant visas
- Certain abused spouses and children, and victims of trafficking
- Native American tribal members born in Canada
MassHealth will be restricted for:
- Lawfully permanent residents - after 5 years
- Cuban & Haitian entrants
- Compact of Free Assn. (COFA) migrants lawfully in the U.S.
- Lawfully residing children & pregnant people
New Work and Education Requirements:
The new work and education requirements will require 80 hours per month of work, enrollment in an educational program at least half-time, or some other “qualifying” activities. MassHealth will contact members who will be impacted. The new federal work and education requirements will mostly impact adults who are 19 through 64 years old and do not have young children, a disability, or a medical condition that significantly impairs your ability to work.
- Learn more about these requirements.
- Use the MassHealth short screener to see if you could be affected.
More Frequent Renewals:
The federal government will require some MassHealth members to renew their coverage every six months instead of every 12 months. These changes will mostly impact low-income adults ages 19 through 64 years old. Exemptions apply for people who are pregnant, living with a blindness or disability based on Social Security rules, or certain Native Americans or Alaska Natives. MassHealth will contact members who are affected.
What You Can Do:
- Make sure MassHealth has your current contact information.
- Read and reply to all letters and messages from MassHealth.
- Report changes right away that could impact coverage, like pregnancy, disability status, or income.
- Check the MassHealth website for important updates
- Learn more and ask questions:
- Join a free webinar hosted by MassHealth to explain the changes to MassHealth.
- Attend an upcoming free webinar hosted by Health Care for All
- Health Coverage Changes for Immigrants in MA - September 21, 1-2 pm
- Changes to MassHealth for Homeless Service Providers - September 28th, 2-3 pm
- Talk with a trained specialists:
- Contact MassHealth or find a local Enrollment Center.
- Call the Health Care for All Helpline at 800-272-4232. HelpLine Counselors are trained in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole and French.
- Springfield residents can contact a Certified Application Counselor at Revitalize CDC, who are available to help families navigate health coverage changes
- Office Hours: Tues, Wed, and Thur from 9 am - 12 PM; 240 Cadwell Dr, Springfield
- Email: hcfa@revitalizecdc.com
- Phone:
413-788-0014
Informational Materials:
Find flyers and other information materials in multiple languages on MassHealth.
ConnectorCare
Eligibility Restrictions:
In January 2026, eligibility for ConnectorCare was restricted or eliminated for certain lawfully present immigrants.
ConnectorCare eliminated for:
- Refugees
- Individuals granted asylum, Individuals with Temporary Protected Status
- All other types of lawfully present non-citizens
ConnectorCare restricted for:
- Lawfully permanent residents (green card holders)
- Cuban and Haitian entrants
- Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants lawfully residing in the US
Residents who are no longer eligible for ConnectorCare Plan Type 1 may qualify for MassHealth Limited and the Health Safety Net.
- Learn more about MassHealth Limited and the Health Safety Net.
Shortened Enrollment:
Starting Fall 2026, the Open Enrollment period for Health Connector is being shortened. The Open Enrollment period will be October 23 through December 23, 2026.
What You Can Do:
- Make sure your contact information on the Health Connector is up to date.
- Read and reply to all letters and messages from Health Connector.
- Check the Health Connector website for important updates.
- Get help by
contacting a Health Connector Enrollment Assister
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