What Are Mass Health Income Limit Guidelines?

The state of Massachusetts offers a public health insurance program to low- and medium-income residents called MassHealth. MassHealth is a combination of the federal program Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. The program is need based and is available for Massachusetts residents of any age. In order to qualify for MassHealth insurance coverage, residents must meet specific income and asset guidelines.

Income Limits

• Since MassHealth is a need-based program, an applicant must meet the income limits set by the state. The state compares the gross monthly income of the applicant to the federal poverty level to determine eligibility, with income limits determined by the number of individuals living in the household. As of 2010, a one-person household may earn up to $903 per month and qualify for MassHealth. For each additional household member, $312 per month is added to the gross monthly income amount.

  MassHealth also provides additional coverage options for households in certain circumstances that have incomes exceeding the federal poverty level. Households with parents or caretakers of disabled adults can earn $1,201 per month for a one-person household, with $415 per month allowed for additional members. Applicants with children under the age of 18 in the household can earn $1,354 per month for one person and an additional $468 per each person. Pregnant women, infants under one and HIV-positive individuals under 65 can earn $1,805 per month and $624 for each additional person. Women with cervical or breast cancer may earn up to $2,257 per month, with $780 allowed for additional household members. Also, households with children under 18 or workers ages 19 to 64 who receive family assistance have a limit of $2,708 per month and $935 for each additional member.

Counted Income

• The state of Massachusetts counts specific types of income when determining eligibility for MassHealth. Examples of counted income include wages earned from employment such as salary, tips or commission; self-employment income minus expenses; Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits; and rental income minus expenses. Income such as pensions and annuities, federal veteran's benefits and interest and dividends are also counted. The state does not include income received from a EAEDC, SSI or TAFDC recipient, non-cash payments, sheltered workshop earnings and income that is excluded by federal law. In addition, the portion of veteran's benefits that is considered aid and attendance benefits, household benefits, enhanced benefits and unreimbursed medical expenses are not counted.

Asset Limits

• In addition to income limits, MassHealth also has limits on the number of assets a recipient can have. The state requires that an individual must have no more than $2,000 in countable assets, while a couple has a limit of $3,000 in countable assets. If an applicant is participating in MassHealth Buy-In, the asset limits are $6,600 for individuals and $9,910 for couples. Assets that are not counted include one car per household, the applicant's house, assets of an applicant receiving SSI and prepaid funeral or burial arrangements. Other vehicles and real estate, cash, bank accounts, pensions, annuities, retirement accounts and securities are considered countable assets.