Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Office of Medicaid
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA  02111
www.mass.gov/masshealth

	MassHealth
	Long Term Care Facility Bulletin 97
	May 2008

	TO:	Nursing Facilities, Chronic Disease and Rehabilitation Inpatient 
Hospitals, and Psychiatric Inpatient Hospitals Participating in MassHealth

	FROM:	Tom Dehner, Medicaid Director

	RE:	MassHealth and the Federal Economic Stimulus Tax Rebates

Background	
Under the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008, the United States Treasury will begin 
sending economic stimulus tax rebates to more than 130 million eligible 
households, starting in May 2008. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 
(CMS) has issued guidelines when determining eligibility for benefits under any 
federal program or any state or local program financed in whole or in part with 
federal funds. This includes MassHealth, the Children’s Medical Security Plan 
(CMSP), Healthy Start, Commonwealth Care, and the Health Safety Net.

Income
The economic stimulus rebate is considered noncountable income.

Assets
The economic stimulus rebate is considered a noncountable asset for a limited 
time only. It is considered noncountable in the month of receipt and the 
following two calendar months (the exemption period).

Transfers of resources for less than fair-market value
If the rebate is given away during the three-month exemption period, it will 
not be subject to a transfer penalty. However, if it is given away after the 
three-month exemption period, the rebate will be subject to a penalty.

Estate recovery
If the rebate becomes part of a person’s estate during the three-month exemption 
period, it will not be subject to recovery. However, if it becomes part of the 
person’s estate after the three-month exemption period, the rebate will be 
subject to recovery.

Questions
If you have any questions about the information in this bulletin, please 
contact MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900, e-mail your inquiry to 
providersupport@mahealth.net, or fax your inquiry to 617-988-8974.