Healthy Start
Healthy Start
♦ Healthy Start Eligibility Line: 1-888-665-9993
♦ Applications: 1-800-841-2900 (MassHealth)
♦ Application download: Healthy Start
♦ Customer Service: 1-888-488-9161
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NOTE: Glossary words are highlighted. Click on any glossary word to see its definition.
What is Healthy Start?
Healthy Start is a free health insurance program for pregnant uninsured low-income women, to help them give their babies a healthy start in life. The program offers early, complete prenatal care to pregnant women and their unborn children, two months of postpartum care, family planning services, and counseling and referrals. MassHealth is in charge of this program in Massachusetts.
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for Healthy Start, you must:
- be pregnant
- be a resident of Massachusetts
- have little or no health insurance coverage for pregnancy
- not be eligible for MassHealth (except MassHealth Limited)
- meet the income guidelines. Family income must be no greater than 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG):
Healthy Start Income Limits
200% Federal Poverty Guidelines
Effective March 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010
| Family size |
Annual income
(before taxes) |
| 2 |
$29,160 |
| 3 |
$36,624 |
| 4 |
$44,112 |
| 5 |
$51,600 |
| 6 |
$59,064 |
| 7 |
$66,552 |
| 8 |
$74,040 |
each extra
child add |
$7,488 |
Note: When counting family size, include yourself, your unborn child, your spouse if living with you, and your children under 19 who are living with you. Income limits change March 1 each year.
Your immigration status does not matter for this program. Undocumented noncitizens are welcome. You do not need a Social Security number.
For questions about eligibility, call the Healthy Start Eligibility Line at 1-888-665-9993.
What benefits will I get?
Healthy Start wants to make sure that all pregnant women get the prenatal care they need to have healthy babies. All Healthy Start services are free. Healthy Start staff members will help you with your application, answer your questions, and make sure your health care needs are met.
Healthy Start covers these pregnancy-related health services:
- Prenatal care (primary and specialty)
- Lab and radiology services
- Prescriptions
- Amniocentesis
- Postpartum care up to 60 days
- Home visits
- Ambulance transfer for emergencies
- Medical equipment
- Outpatient mental health
- Newborn care
- Family planning
Healthy Start does not cover these services:
- Circumcision
- Elective abortion
- Chiropractor services
- Elective home births
- Non-certified nurse midwife services
- Elective surgery
Healthy Start members are also eligible for MassHealth Limited which covers labor and delivery costs and emergency transportation. Other medical and surgical services not covered by Healthy Start are covered by the Health Safety Net at community health centers and hospitals.
For more information, call Healthy Start Customer Service at 1-888-488-9161.
How do I apply?
To apply for Healthy Start, you must complete the Medical Benefit Request (MBR) form, which is a joint application for Healthy Start and MassHealth. You can get this form:
- online, on the Department of Health and Human Services web site: Healthy Start
- by calling MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900 (TTY:1-800-497-4648)
- by visiting one of the community health centers in your area. To find a community health center near you, use the Find a Health Center search tool on the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers web site.
When you apply, you will be screened for MassHealth eligibility as well as Healthy Start.
Useful links
These links are external links to web sites that are not part of MassResources.org. When you click on these links, you will leave our site. Click "Back" on your browser to return.
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Healthy Start - Health and Human Services
Information about Healthy Start eligibility and services, from the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services.
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Healthy Start Program
Information about Healthy Start enrollment, income guidelines, coverage, and the provider network. Includes a Healthy Start Provider Directory. From Unicare, the company that handles claims and customer service for Healthy Start members in Massachusetts.
Healthy Start section last updated on 4/20/10
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