MPAC Meeting

MassHealth Program Advisory Committee / Payment Policy Advisory Board Meeting Minutes October 14, 2025

MPAC members attending:

PPAB members attending:

Presenters:

• Ryan Schwarz, Chief, Office of Accountable Care and Behavioral Health, MassHealth
• Elizabeth LaMontagne, Chief Operating Officer, MassHealth

Discussion:

1. Agenda 

2. Welcome

• Undersecretary Mike Levine welcomed MPAC, PPAB members.
• Celia Segel, MassHealth’s Chief of Staff, welcomed MPAC, PPAB members

3. Stage setting –what are the MPAC and PPAB?

• Camille Pearson, MassHealth’s Legislative Director, presented information on the new MassHealth Program Advisory Committee and the Payment Policy Advisory Board.

4. Icebreaker Activity

• Sarah Nordberg, MassHealth’s Deputy Legislative Director, led icebreaker activity for MPAC and PPAB members. Topics included:
  • Name
  • Organization individual is representing (if applicable)
  • What are you looking forward to about the MPAC and PPAB meetings or any MassHealth related topics you would like to hear about in these meetings?

5. 1115 Waiver Process Overview

• Ryan Schwarz presented an overview of the upcoming 1115 waiver process. Discussion included:
  • Questions on when additional details about the waiver will be available, if information on other states’ waivers is available, if MassHealth anticipates any changes to the ACO RFR process, and specific questions on MassHealth’s last 1115 waiver request.

6. OBBBA Discussion

• Elizabeth LaMontagne presented on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA or OB3). Information was shared on changes that will be made to Medicaid, the timeline for these changes, and how MassHealth members may be affected.

Questions and comments included:

• Questions related to what implementation guidance the state has received.
• Questions on how cost-sharing will work and the state’s ability to set its own cost-sharing amounts.
  • Elizabeth LaMontagne led a discussion on how MassHealth can best engage with members and community-based organizations as federal Medicaid changes are implemented.

Takeaways included:

• MassHealth should take best practices from redeterminations outreach and utilize for communications with members during these changes. For example: utilization of visual aids, materials shared in multiple languages, sharing videos, using materials like “blue envelopes.” Written materials should be in plain language.
• MassHealth should create a website that includes information about changes.
• MassHealth should prioritize communication with members and stakeholders.
• MassHealth should think about how to best support application counselors & trusted community voices.
• In the near term, MassHealth should provide tools and guidance related to work requirements.
• MassHealth should find ways to clearly communicate requirements related to immigration status.
• MassHealth should leverage its provider network and community resources to communicate with members.

7. MPAC By-laws

• Sarah Nordberg reminded MPAC members to submit feedback on proposed by-laws by November 14th.

8. Wrap-up, Q&A, Next meeting: January 13, 2026

1. Welcome
2. Stage setting – what are the MPAC and PPAB?
3. Icebreaker Activity
4. OBBBA Discussion
5. 1115 Waiver Process Overview
6. MPAC By-laws
7. Reminder to submit feedback by 11/14/25
8. Wrap-up, Q&A, Next meeting: January 13, 2026