Dear Colleagues:

As mandated by the Massachusetts Division of Healthcare Finance and Policy, other important changes have occurred related to the State’s Free Care Pool. As of October 1, 2004, non-Massachusetts residents can no longer apply for free care. In addition, the State now has a role in determining which uninsured patients are eligible for free care versus Medicaid (MassHealth). It is now mandated that all uninsured patients under 65 years of age will have to fill out an electronic application through the Virtual Gateway system, now operational at BWH. For patients over 65 years of age, the former paper process will still be used.

Although BWH, its health centers and MGH have implemented the Virtual Gateway system, Faulkner Hospital is not yet operational with the new system. All hospitals in the Commonwealth are required to eventually comply with this new method.

Questions regarding free care eligibility should be directed to Edith Kenneally at ext. 2-7949. For more specific information on policy changes, visit the Massachusetts Division of Healthcare Finance and Policy website at www.mass.gov/dhcf

Sincerely yours,

Steven Seltzer, MD
BWPO Chairman