The MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement is a vital document for Massachusetts residents applying for MassHealth on the basis of disability. It enables the Commonwealth's Executive Office of Health and Human Services to collect essential information about an applicant's medical and mental health providers, work history, and daily activities. Filling out this supplement thoroughly and accurately is crucial for a swift and affirmative decision on disability-based eligibility. Click on the button below to start filling out your form.
Navigating the complexities of healthcare can be daunting, especially when dealing with disabilities that make access to care critically important. The MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement is a pivotal document for individuals in Massachusetts facing such circumstances, providing a gateway to essential services through the MassHealth program. This form serves as an essential supplement to a MassHealth application, designed to gather detailed information about an applicant's disability, medical and mental health history, treatment details, and personal background including work history and daily activities. Its purpose is to ensure that the UMass Disability Evaluation Services (DES) can make an informed, expedient decision regarding eligibility for disability benefits. Applicants are urged to be thorough, providing comprehensive details about their healthcare providers, the extent of their disabilities, including how these impairments affect their day-to-day lives, and their personal histories. The form not only asks for medical and treatment history but also inquires about the applicant's living situation, their ability to perform daily tasks, language proficiency, educational background, and employment history. Submitting this form, complete with signed Medical Release Forms for each listed healthcare provider, is a critical step in accessing necessary healthcare services through MassHealth. Detailed instructions accompany the form to guide applicants through each section, ensuring that they can accurately represent their needs and circumstances. The MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement epitomizes the intersection of healthcare and social support, embodying a critical resource for Massachusetts residents with disabilities seeking to navigate their path to coverage and care.
MassHealth
Adult Disability Supplement
Commonwealth of Massachusetts | Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Instructions for Completing the Supplement
You have indicated on your MassHealth application that you have a disability. Disability standards require that the disability has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months. UMass Disability Evaluation Services (DES) will review your disability application for MassHealth. It is very important that you complete this Disability Supplement.
To get MassHealth based on your disability, you need to tell us about
•your medical and mental health providers. These may include doctors, psychologists, therapists, social workers, physical therapists, chiropractors, hospitals, health centers, and clinics from whom you receive or have received treatment; and
•yourself: your work history for the past 15 years, your educational background, and your daily activities.
Completing the Disability Supplement will give us this information and will help us make a quick decision.
Please read the following instructions before beginning.
•Print, or write clearly and complete the supplement to the best of your ability.
•Sign and date a Medical Release Form for each medical and mental health provider you list on the supplement.
•After you have filled out the supplement, submit it to
Disability Evaluation Services / UMASS Medical DES
P.O. Box 2796
Worcester, MA 01613-2796
DES will ask for your medical and treatment records from the providers you have listed. If you have any of your medical records, please send a copy with this form. If more information or tests are needed, a member of DES will get in touch with you. Your eligibility will be determined more quickly if all items on the supplement are filled in.
This is not an application for medical benefits. If you have not already completed a MassHealth application, you must fill one out in addition to this form. If you have any questions about how to apply, please call 1-800-841-2900 (TTY: 1-800-497-4648 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled).
If you need help with this form, you can call the UMass Disability Evaluation Services (DES) Help Line at 1-888-497-9890.
Fill in every section of this form. If you do not fill in every section, we may not be able to decide if you are disabled.
Information about you
MALE
FEMALE
Last name First name Middle initial
Social security number
Street address
City
Apt. #
State
Zip code
Date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
—
Home phone
Cell phone
Work/other phone
We may need to schedule a doctor’s appointment for you. What are the best times for you to go to an appointment? Please check all the times that are good for you.
Any time is ok
Monday a.m.
Tuesday a.m.
Wednesday a.m.
Monday p.m.
Tuesday p.m.
Wednesday p.m.
Did you apply for Social Security or SSI/SSDI benefits?
yes
no
If yes, did you see a doctor for an exam?
Doctor’s name
Thursday a.m.
Friday a.m.
Thursday p.m.
Friday p.m.
Date of exam _____/_____/________
MADS-A/MR COMBO (Rev. 04/15)
1
Please go to the next page.
PART 1 Your health problems
List and describe all your medical and mental health problems. If you are getting treatment for the problem, please tell us what kind of treatment.
List your medical and/or
Describe the symptoms or pain related to each health
Date when
Medications/
mental health problems.
problem.
problem started.
treatment
Depression
Very tired all the time. Hard to get out of bed in the morning.
April 2010
None
I cry a lot during the day. I can’t control when I cry.
Back pain
Pain starts in my lower back and goes down my leg
June 2007
Skelexin
Did any of your health problems start because of an accident or injury? If yes, please explain.
PART 2 Information about all your medical and mental health providers
Did you get any health care in the past year?
If yes, please list every medical and mental health provider that treated you for any of your health problems since they started. A medical or mental health provider may include a doctor, psychologist, therapist, social worker, physical therapist, chiropractor, hospital, health center, and clinic from which you receive treatment. You can write on a separate piece of paper if you run out of space.
If you are receiving treatment from only one facility, list only that facility.
Name of medical and mental health providers
Reason for visit
Was this visit
in the past year?
Please fill out a Medical Records Release Form for each medical and mental health provider on this list. Be sure to sign and date each form. These release forms are at the end of this packet. If you need more copies of the Medical Release Form, call a MassHealth Enrollment Center at 1-888-665-9993 (TTY: 1-888-665-9997 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled) or download the form at www.mass.gov/masshealth.
PART 3 Where you live
Where do you live? (Check one.)
House or apartment
Group home
Other (describe)
State facility
Nursing home
Rehabilitation hospital
Homeless
2
PART 4 What you can do
Are you
right handed?
left handed?
Do your medical or mental health problems make it hard for you to do any of the following things?
If yes,
If yes, please explain below.
check here
Dress and bathe
My shoulder pain makes it hard for me to lift my arm over my head. This
makes it hard to put on shirts or wash my hair.
Do regular housework
When I am depressed, I don’t care if my house is clean.
Sit
Stand
Walk
Bend
Reach
Lift
Remember
See
Hear
Use your hands
Listen to music
Watch TV
Use a computer
Read
Talk on the phone
Go outside
Go for a walk
Go shopping
Go to the doctor
Visit friends and family
Go to school
Handle money/use an ATM
Drive a car
Take a bus, train, or taxi
Play sports
3
PART 5
Your language
Do you speak English?
limited
Do you understand English?
Do you read English?
Do you write English?
What is your first language?
Can you read in your first language?
Can you write in your first language?
PART 6
School
Check the highest grade of school you finished.
K
4
5
6
7
8
Associate’s degree
9
10
11
12
GED
Bachelor’s degree
What year did you finish this
grade?
Where did you go to school?
Did you repeat any grades?
Were you in special education?
not sure
Did you finish more than 12 years of school?
If yes, please list your degree and major
Did you get any other training?
If yes, please fill out the
sections below.
Type of training
Year
Finished
Certified/Licensed
Building trades
Electronics
Cooking
Auto mechanics
Computers
Hairdressing
Cosmetology
Nurse’s aide
Secretarial
PART 7
Your work
Do you work now?
If no, when did you stop working? Date ___ /___ /______
Did any of your medical or mental health conditions cause problems at work? If yes, plesae explain.
Part 7. Your work (continued)
List all your jobs from the last 15 years. Do the best that you can. If you do not know the exact dates, write your best guess.
Start with the job you have now or your last job. Add a piece of paper if you need more space. You can attach a resume if you have one. Here is a sample.
Job title Packer
Dates worked: From (Month/Year) March 2012
To (Month/Year) May 2012
Job duties (List everything you did.) Put three golf balls into a small box. Packed 24 small boxes into a case. Sealed the case with packing tape. Loaded cases onto a platform.
How many hours did you work each week? 40
How much did you make an hour? $9.00/hour
Reason for leaving Moved
Job title
Dates worked: From (Month/Year)
To (Month/Year)
Job duties (List everything you did.)
How many hours did you work each week?
How much did you make an hour?
Reason for leaving
To (Month/Year):
Check each of the things you do in your job. If you do not work, check each thing you did in your last job.
Doing paperwork
Using a computer
Assembling
Operating machines
Filing
Serving people
Counting & packing
Construction
Using phone
Driving a car or truck
Moving things
Cleaning
Using office machines
Using cash register
Driving a forklift
Using power tools
Using hand tools
Other (please describe)
Circle the number of hours you do each thing in your job. If you do not work, circle the number of hours you did each thing in your last job.
Activity
Hours in a Day
Walk or stand
0
Check the weight you lift or carry most.
Less than 10 lbs.
10 lbs.
20 lbs.
25 lbs.
50 lbs.
100 lbs.
More than 100 lbs.
Check the heaviest weight you lift.
PART 8 Your comments
Use this space to write any additional information about why you cannot work.
PART 9 Your signature and rights
THIS SECTION MUST BE COMPLETED.
You have the right to privacy. The information on this form is confidential. All possible precautions will be taken to ensure your privacy rights.
Signature of Applicant/Guardian/Authorized Representative
Date _____/_____/________
Authorized Representative
If this form is being filled out by someone with the legal authority to act on behalf of the applicant/member (such as the parent of an adult disabled child or spouse, an authorized representative, or a legal guardian), give us the following information.
Signature of person filling out this form
Print name
Authority of person filling out this form on behalf of the applicant/member
DES may send copies of notices to the authorized representative. This area does not authorize release of medical records.
You may choose an authorized representative to help you with some or all of the responsibilities of applying for or getting health benefits.
You can do this by filling out a MassHealth Authorized Representative Designation Form (ARD). To ask for an ARD form, call MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900 (TTY: 1-800-497-4648 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled).
HELP WITH THIS FORM
Did you need help to fill out this form? If yes, why did you need help?
REMINDER
Did you remember to
complete a medical release form for each medical or mental health provider listed on page 2? sign all medical release forms?
sign this Disability Supplement above?
include a completed and signed Authorized Representative Designation Form (ARD) if needed?
Medical Records Release Form
Commonwealth of Massachusetts | Executive Office of Health and Human Services | www.mass.gov/masshealth
MassHealth Disability Evaluation Service
This MassHealth Medical Records Release Form helps us get medical information from your health-care provider so that the MassHealth Disability Evaluation Service (DES) can make a disability determination.
Please read the instructions carefully before you fill out this form. If you leave any sections of this form blank, this permission will not be valid, and the health-care provider will not be able to share your information with the MassHealth DES. If the health-care provider does not share medical information with the MassHealth DES, we will not be able to make a disability determination.
General instructions for filling out the Medical Records Release Form
You must follow these instructions when filling out the medical records to the MassHealth DES if you do not fill disability determination.
Medical Records Release Forms. The health-care providers will not send out the forms the right way. We need copies of medical records to make a
1.Sign and date a Medical Records Release Form for each doctor, hospital, health center, clinic, or other health-care provider you listed in the Disability Supplement.
2.All signatures must be in ink and must be originals. No copies or stamps of signatures are permitted.
3.Only one signature may appear on a line.
4.If this form is for a child younger than age 18, one parent or legal guardian must sign for the child.
SECTION I
Permission is given for the health-care provider listed in Section II to share the medical information listed in Section III about
with the MassHealth DES.
(Please print name of applicant or member.)
SECTION II
Please print the name of the health-care provider that may share medical information with the MassHealth DES.
Name of doctor, health center, or other health-care provider
City, state, zip
Phone ( )
SECTION III
The health-care provider listed in Section II above may share the following information with the MassHealth DES to determine eligibility for MassHealth benefits.
All medical records or other information about my treatment, hospitalization, or outpatient care for conditions including
psychological/psychiatric impairments
how impairments affect activities of daily living and ability to work
AIDS/HIV
drug and alcohol use
other (please describe)
Check here if you do not want the health-care provider to share information about AIDS/HIV status.
Check here if you do not want the health-care provider to share information about drug or alcohol use.
MADS-MR (Rev. 04/15)
(continued on back)
SECTION IV
Any medical information that the health-care provider releases to the MassHealth Disability Evaluation Service (DES) will continue to be protected by federal privacy laws.
This permission to release medical information to the MassHealth DES ends six months from the date you sign this release form, unless you have cancelled permission in writing before then.
I understand that I may cancel this permission at any time by sending a letter to the health-care provider I listed in Section II.
I understand that even if I cancel this permission, the health-care provider I listed in Section II cannot take back any information that it shared with the MassHealth DES when it had my permission to do so.
I also understand that my decision whether to give the health-care provider permission to share medical information with the MassHealth DES is voluntary. However, I also understand that if I do not give permission to the health-care provider to share medical information with the MassHealth DES, the MassHealth DES will not be able to make a disability determination, and the decision about eligibility for MassHealth benefits will be made without consideration of any disability claimed.
SECTION V
Signature of applicant/member
Date
Print name of applicant/member
Phone (
)
Date of birth
City/Town
If this form is being filled out by someone who has the legal authority to act on behalf of the applicant/member
(such as the parent of a minor child, an eligibility representative, or a legal guardian), please give us the following information.
Signature of person filling
out this form
Authority of person filling
out this form to act on behalf of the applicant/member
Please give us a copy of the document that gives this person the authority to act on behalf of the applicant/member.
MassHealth will send you back a copy of this signed Medical Records Release Form for you to keep for your records. You can also ask for another copy of this signed Medical Records Release Form at any time by contacting MassHealth at the following address.
Disability Evaluation Services
UMASS Medical DES
Filling out the MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement is a critical step in ensuring that individuals with disabilities receive the medical benefits they require. This document provides the Commonwealth of Massachusetts with a comprehensive insight into the applicant's medical history, treatment providers, and daily activities. In doing so, it facilitates a thorough evaluation process by the UMass Disability Evaluation Services (DES), aiming for a swift and informed decision regarding eligibility. Therefore, accuracy, clarity, and detail in completing the supplement are paramount. Following the outlined steps meticulously is essential for a successful submission.
After submission, DES will proceed with reviewing your supplement, gathering additional information from your treatment providers as needed. If further details or tests are necessary, a member of DES will contact you directly. Speeding up the eligibility determination hinges on the completeness and accuracy of the information provided on this supplement and any accompanying documentation.
How do I know if I need to fill out the MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement?
If you've mentioned on your MassHealth application that you have a disability, completing the Disability Supplement is a crucial step. This document provides detailed information about your health conditions and treatments, work history, and daily activities, which is essential for determining your eligibility for MassHealth based on disability.
What information do I need to provide in the Disability Supplement?
You'll need to give comprehensive details about your medical and mental health providers, including any doctors, therapists, or clinics you've been to. You should also include information about your work history from the past 15 years, your educational background, and your usual daily activities. This helps paint a full picture of your situation and speeds up the decision-making process regarding your eligibility.
What happens after I submit the Disability Supplement?
Once your completed supplement is submitted to the Disability Evaluation Services (DES) at UMass, they will request your medical and treatment records from the listed providers. If more information or additional tests are needed, a DES member will reach out to you. To ensure a swift eligibility determination, it's crucial to fill in all parts of the supplement.
Do I need to provide medical records along with the Disability Supplement?
Yes, if you have any medical records available, you should send copies along with your Disability Supplement. This can help speed up the review process by providing the Disability Evaluation Services with immediate access to your medical history and current health condition.
Where do I submit the completed MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement?
After filling out the supplement, mail it to Disability Evaluation Services / UMASS Medical DES P.O. Box 2796 Worcester, MA 01613-2796. Ensure that you have signed and dated the Medical Release Form for each of your medical and mental health providers, which allows DES to obtain your necessary records for a thorough evaluation.
Filling out the MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement requires attention to detail and completeness for the processing of disability-based MassHealth benefits. A common mistake is not providing full information on medical and mental health providers. This includes doctors, therapists, and any other healthcare professionals involved in your care. It's crucial to list all current and past providers to ensure the Disability Evaluation Services (DES) has a comprehensive understanding of your medical history.
Another area often overlooked is the work history section. Applicants sometimes fail to detail their employment over the past 15 years accurately. This part of the application helps DES assess how your disability affects your ability to work. Missing or incomplete job history can delay the decision process, as it may not accurately represent your employment capabilities and challenges.
Many applicants do not realize the importance of describing their daily activities and how their disability affects them. This information is critical for a thorough evaluation. Simply listing your medical conditions is not enough; explaining how they impact your daily life helps DES understand the severity of your condition and its effects on your day-to-day functions.
Failure to submit Medical Release Forms for each listed provider is a common error that can significantly delay the process. These forms are necessary for DES to obtain your medical records. Without them, your application cannot move forward, as DES lacks the authorization to request your records.
Some applicants forget to attach any existing medical records they might have. While DES will request records from your providers, supplying your copies can expedite the review process. Immediate access to your records allows for a quicker assessment of your disability claim.
Lastly, a frequent oversight is not specifying preferred times for appointments. This information is vital for scheduling any necessary evaluations or tests without delays. Being clear about your availability helps ensure appointments are set at times that are convenient for you, facilitating a smoother evaluation process.
When applying for MassHealth based on a disability, the process requires submitting additional forms and documents along with the MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement. These materials are crucial for a comprehensive application that accurately demonstrates your needs and situation. Let’s explore some of these essential documents.
Submitting the MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement alongside these forms and documents enhances the clarity and completeness of your application. It provides the review team with a detailed view of your situation, ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation of your eligibility for disability benefits based on MassHealth standards.
One document similar to the MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement is the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application form, which is used to apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Both forms require detailed information about the applicant’s medical conditions, treatment history, and the impact of the disability on their ability to work. Applicants must also provide personal information and consent for the release of medical records to support their disability claim.
The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application shares similarities with the MassHealth form, as it also focuses on individuals with disabilities or those who are 65 and older with limited income and resources. This form gathers detailed information about the applicant's financial status, living arrangements, and disability. Both forms are integral to determining eligibility for benefits meant to support those with disabilities.
Another document with similarities is the Medicaid application form, which is used to determine eligibility for Medicaid, a state and federally funded program offering health coverage to low-income individuals and families. Like the MassHealth supplement, the Medicaid application asks for personal information, financial status, and, in some cases, details of medical conditions that might qualify an individual for more comprehensive benefits or programs tailored to those with specific needs.
The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a screening tool for mental health, measuring the severity of depression. Its focus on mental health is a similarity it shares with the MassHealth supplement, which also asks about mental health providers and treatments as part of its comprehensive review of an individual’s health. While the PHQ-9 is more focused on diagnosis, both documents contribute to understanding and addressing the mental health component of an applicant's overall well-being.
The Functional Report - Adult form used by the SSA resembles the MassHealth form in its goal to assess how an individual’s disability affects their daily activities and capabilities. This form requires the applicant or a third party to provide details on how the disability impacts routine tasks, social functioning, and the ability to work, which is critical data also gathered by the MassHealth Disability Supplement.
Job applications often require information about an applicant's abilities to perform specific tasks or duties, similar to the employment history and job function inquiries found in the MassHealth supplement. While the focus is different—with job applications seeking to understand capabilities for employment, and MassHealth assessing work abilities in the context of disability—their need to gather detailed descriptions of an individual’s work history and functions is aligned.
The Workers' Compensation Claim Form, used by employees to report an injury or illness acquired in the workplace, necessitates detailed medical and employment information much like the MassHealth Disability Supplement. Both documents are essential for assessing the impact of health conditions on an individual's life, albeit from different perspectives and for distinct purposes.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 1040 form, the U.S. individual income tax return, while primarily focused on financial information, can require detailed disclosures about personal circumstances, including disabilities in some contexts. Similar to the MassHealth form, the 1040 form might be used in determining eligibility for certain tax deductions or credits related to medical expenses or disability status.
College and university disability accommodation requests are forms that students with disabilities fill out to receive accommodations that mitigate the impact of those disabilities on their education. Like the MassHealth Disability Supplement, these forms require detailed information about the student’s medical condition, treatment history, and how their condition affects daily living and academic performance.
Finally, the application for Veteran Affairs (VA) Disability Compensation, which requires veterans to provide extensive information about their service-connected disabilities, medical history, and the effect of these disabilities on their daily lives, closely resembles the MassHealth form in its comprehensive approach to documenting the impact of disabilities. Both are pivotal in the process of seeking support and benefits for those affected by significant health challenges.
When tackling the MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement, a crucial document for those seeking health insurance coverage based on disability in Massachusetts, applicants should follow specific do's and don'ts to ensure the process is seamless and their application has the best chance of success. Below are six key points to keep in mind.
Following these guidelines can help ensure that the process goes smoothly and improves your chances of receiving the benefits you need.
Many people have misconceptions about the MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement form. Understanding these misconceptions can help ensure the application process is smoother and more accurate. Here's a list of common misunderstandings:
Correcting these misconceptions can greatly assist applicants in properly completing their MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement and avoiding unnecessary delays. If there are questions or uncertainties, resources are available to help, including the DES Help Line. Remember, providing complete and accurate information is the best way to ensure the swift processing of your application.
Understanding the MassHealth Adult Disability Supplement is crucial for individuals applying for benefits based on disability. To ensure your application is processed effectively and efficiently, consider the following key takeaways:
Paying attention to these details can greatly affect the outcome of your application. The goal of MassHealth is to provide necessary support to those with disabilities, and accurately completing the Adult Disability Supplement is a key part of accessing those benefits.
Employer Resume - It can act as a tool for networking, providing a structured summary of the applicant’s background for potential mentors, colleagues, and collaborators.
Fmla Leave - Human Resources form for workers to apply for time off under specific conditions protected by FMLA.