Section 26: MassHealth Children's Eligibility

(1) There is hereby established the child health insurance program, which shall provide medical assistance or medical benefits to infants, children and adolescents to age 18, inclusive, whose financial eligibility as determined by the division does not exceed 300 per cent of the federal poverty level, pursuant to and in conformity with the provisions of Title XXI, the terms and conditions of the demonstration project authorized by section 9A of this chapter, or a combination thereof.

(2) Medical benefits under said program shall be available to all such infants, children and adolescents qualifying for enrollment in said program pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) of subsection (2) of said section 9A. To the extent authorized by federal law or by the terms and conditions of the demonstration project authorized pursuant to said section 9A, the division is hereby authorized to grant presumptive eligibility for up to 60 days to children and adolescents applying for enrollment in said program. The division may deny eligibility for medical benefits under said program pursuant to the provisions of subsection (3) of said section 9A.

(3) The amount, duration and scope of medical benefits provided under said program for eligible beneficiaries whose financial eligibility, as determined by the division exceeds 133 per cent of the federal poverty level but does not exceed 300 per cent of the federal poverty level, shall be established by the division; provided however, that medical benefits provided under said program shall be both consistent with the benefit levels required under the provisions of said Title XXI and comparable to the benefit levels offered under private insurance plans, shall include early and periodic screening, diagnostic and preventive services and shall include other medical services to the extent that such services are covered medical benefits under said plan. [unchanged text not shown]