Application Updates and Upcoming Webinars

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Topic/s: MassHealth

Updates to the Application for Health and Dental Coverage and Help Paying Costs (ACA-3) and Application for Health Coverage for Seniors and People Needing Long-Term-Care Services (SACA-2).

As of August 2026, MassHealth has updated the following applications:

Application for Health and Dental Coverage and Help Paying Costs (ACA-3)

- Used for the following populations:
  - People younger than 65 who do not need long-term-care services (either in a nursing facility or in the community),
  - Parents of children younger than 19, and
  - Adult relatives living with or taking care of children younger than 19 (regardless of the age of the parent or adult relative) when neither parent is living in the home.

Application for Health Coverage for Seniors and People Needing Long-Term-Care Services (SACA-2)

- People in the following categories will need to fill out the SACA-2:
  - Those 65 or older, including those who are applying with a spouse who is under 65, and
  - People of any age who need long-term-care services (either in a nursing facility or in the community).

Key update to both applications:

Question 14 is updated to comply with federal rule changes, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) or HR1. The question asks if an applicant is a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR or green card holder), a Cuban Haitian Entrant (CHE), or a Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrant.

- The Massachusetts Health Connector will begin using these questions for coverage for plan year 2027.
- MassHealth eligbility changes related to this questions will be effective on October 1, 2026.

Image of new immigration question on application

You can find the August 2026 version of the ACA-3 and SACA-2 available for download or print at the Applications to become a MassHealth member. You can access the online web version of the SACA-2 at Massachusetts Application for Health and Dental Coverage and Help Paying Costs.

Using the latest versions of the applications ensures applicants and members do not experience any delays in accessing services they may be eligible for. Versions of the application (ACA-3 or SACA-2) that are not current will continue to be accepted.

Updates to MassHealth’s Federal Changes Webpage for Members

The federal changes affecting MassHealth members webpage is now live! The friendly URL is: https://mass.gov/MassHealthMemberChanges. Please check it out and spread the word about the resources including our new communications toolkit.

Upcoming Webinar

Join MassHealth for a webinar outlining the latest information on upcoming policy changes and how we are supporting members and partners. A federal law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump is bringing new rules and requirements to MassHealth. Changes to eligibility for certain immigrants will start in October, and other requirements, like work and education requirements and more frequent renewals, begin January 1^st.

Learn about which MassHealth members will be impacted, our timeline for notifying affected members, and MassHealth's statewide strategy to support members and partners through these new processes.