MassHealth and State Programs That Can Help Pay for Home Care

Short answer: In Massachusetts, several programs may help pay for care at home. They include MassHealth home health benefits, the MassHealth Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program, the Frail Elder Waiver (FEW) and the state Home Care Program run through local Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs). In the Merrimack Valley, the ASAP is AgeSpan. Eligibility rules differ for each program.

Important: Each program has its own provider rules. Right Care does not run these programs, and taking part in them depends on eligibility and on the program’s provider network.

MassHealth Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program

According to Mass.gov, the PCA program helps people with chronic or permanent disabilities live at home by hiring their own personal care attendants. To qualify, a person must: – Be eligible for MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth – Have a permanent or chronic disability – Need physical help with two or more activities of daily living (for example bathing, dressing, eating or mobility) – Be able to manage their PCA services, or have a surrogate or administrative proxy

Frail Elder Waiver (FEW)

Mass.gov describes FEW as a program for people 60 and older (60–64 with a disability, or 65+) who meet the clinical level of care for a nursing facility but want to live at home. Applicants must also meet MassHealth financial rules and live in an eligible community setting. To apply, contact your local ASAP for a clinical eligibility assessment.

State Home Care Program

The Massachusetts Home Care Program is based on need. It considers age, residence and the ability to carry out daily tasks, and it serves people living at home in Massachusetts outside institutional or certified assisted-living settings (Mass.gov). It is accessed through ASAPs.

AgeSpan: your regional starting point

AgeSpan is the ASAP and Area Agency on Aging for 28 communities, including Lawrence, Methuen, Haverhill, Andover, North Andover, Lowell and Tewksbury. It is headquartered at 280 Merrimack Street, Lawrence, and can be reached at 978-683-7747 or 800-892-0890. You can also call MassOptions at 800-243-4636 (Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM).

How Right Care can help

We work with MassHealth and many other plans, including Medicare, Medicare Advantage, CCA and WellSense, as well as private pay. We’ll talk through your situation and verify your benefits; coverage depends on plan. Our services include home health aide, CNA, skilled nursing, personal care, companion care, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

FAQ

Do I apply for these programs through Right Care? No. You apply through MassHealth or your ASAP (AgeSpan). We can explain the next steps. Can family members be paid caregivers? Under the PCA program, consumers hire their own attendants, and program rules apply. See Mass.gov. What if I don’t qualify? Many families choose private-pay care. Call us to discuss options.

Sources (accessed Oct 20, 2026): Mass.gov PCA fact sheet, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/masshealth-personal-care-attendant-program-fact-sheet ; Mass.gov Frail Elder Waiver, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/frail-elder-waiver-information-for-applicants-and-participants ; Mass.gov Home Care Program, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/home-care-program ; Mass.gov ASAP directory, https://www.mass.gov/info-details/find-your-regional-aging-services-access-point-asap ; AgeSpan, https://agespan.org/about-us-1/service-area/ General information, not legal or benefits advice. Program rules change, so check with MassHealth or AgeSpan.