To apply for MassHealth, the first thing to get right is which application you use, because Massachusetts runs two different ones and the split is by age and whether you need long-term care.
If you're under 65 (a child, a family, or a working-age adult), you apply through the online MassHealth and Health Connector application. If you're 65 or older, or you need long-term-care services at any age, you use a separate application called the SACA-2, submitted to a MassHealth Enrollment Center. Sending a senior to the under-65 online application, or mailing a SACA-2 for a working-age adult, is the most common way people lose weeks. This guide walks through each route, how to submit, and what to gather. If you're not sure you qualify yet, start with MassHealth eligibility and income limits.
Before you apply: which MassHealth application is yours
Massachusetts decides MassHealth two different ways, and the application follows the same split.
- Under 65 (children, families, adults): apply through the online MassHealth and Massachusetts Health Connector system. This is the income-based, ACA-style application.
- 65 or older, or any age needing long-term care: apply with the SACA-2, the Application for Health Coverage for Seniors and People Needing Long-Term-Care Services. This is the route for nursing-home coverage, home-based long-term care, and regular MassHealth for people 65 and older.
If you're applying for a parent who is entering a nursing home, the SACA-2 is your form regardless of the parent's age.
Applying online if you're under 65
For children, families, and adults under 65, the fastest route is the online MassHealth and Health Connector application. You create or sign in to your account, answer the eligibility questions, and upload your documents. You can also apply by phone or with help from a trained assister or a community health center.
Applying as a senior or for long-term care: the SACA-2
If you're 65 or older, or you need long-term-care services at any age, the SACA-2 is your application. It collects the income and asset information MassHealth needs for the non-income-based pathways, including the asset review and the look-back that apply to long-term care. For questions, call MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900 (TDD/TTY 711).
How to submit the SACA-2
You have a few options:
| Method | How it works |
|---|---|
| Online | Complete and submit the SACA-2 electronically; you need a valid email address to verify the submission |
| Mail or fax | Print the form, complete it by hand, and send it with your documents to the MassHealth Enrollment Center, Central Processing Unit, P.O. Box 290794, Charlestown, MA 02129 |
| Phone | Call MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900 (TDD/TTY 711) for help |
What documents you'll need
The exact list depends on your situation, but most applicants should gather:
- Proof of identity and Social Security numbers for everyone applying
- Proof of income (Social Security or pension award letters, pay stubs, benefit statements)
- Proof of Massachusetts residency and immigration or citizenship status
- For seniors and long-term-care applicants, asset records (bank and investment statements, property, and any transfers in the prior five years)
Submitting complete documentation up front is the best way to avoid back-and-forth that delays a decision.
After you apply: what to expect
MassHealth reviews your application and may request more documents. Standard applications take several weeks, and long-term-care cases with a full asset review take longer. For long-term care, the financial determination from your SACA-2 works alongside the clinical requirement (a nursing-facility level of care). Once approved, most members enroll in a MassHealth coverage type or plan that fits their situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
For seniors and long-term care, call MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900 (TDD/TTY 711). People under 65 generally apply online through the MassHealth and Health Connector system.
People 65 or older use the SACA-2 application (Application for Health Coverage for Seniors and People Needing Long-Term-Care Services), not the under-65 online application. You can submit the SACA-2 online or mail or fax it to the MassHealth Enrollment Center.
Use the SACA-2 application at any age if you need long-term-care services. It covers the financial side, including the asset review and look-back. Long-term-care coverage also requires meeting a clinical nursing-facility level of care.
Yes. People under 65 apply through the online MassHealth and Health Connector application. The SACA-2 for seniors and long-term care can also be submitted online, or printed and mailed or faxed to the MassHealth Enrollment Center.
MassHealth Enrollment Center, Central Processing Unit, P.O. Box 290794, Charlestown, MA 02129.
Learn More
- Massachusetts Medicaid (MassHealth): the full guide
- MassHealth Eligibility and Income Limits
- How to Qualify for Medicaid Without Going Broke
- Caregiving in Massachusetts
Find personalized help applying for MassHealth at brevy.com.
The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.