Message Text – January 2026

MassHealth Provider Remittance Advice

The messages listed below may be general All Provider messages, applicable to several provider types or services, or provider specific. 

You can request a copy of a prior message by:

• Emailing [e-mail]
• Sending a letter to

  MassHealth Customer Service
  P.O. Box 278
  Quincy, MA 02171

• Calling MassHealth Customer Services at [phone],
  Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

01/06/2026

UPDATE: Advancing Interoperability and Improving Prior Authorization Processes

Effective January 1, 2026, prior authorizations (PAs) for the medical benefit will be adjudicated as outlined below:

• Standard PA requests: A decision will be provided within seven calendar days from the date received, provided all necessary documentation is included.
• Expedited PA requests: A decision will be provided within 72 hours when the member’s clinical condition requires urgent attention and a delay in processing could negatively affect health outcomes. If the request does not meet the criteria for expedited review, it will be processed as a standard request and follow standard review processes.

Additional details about these process changes are available in the All Provider Bulletin 413 that was issued on November 20, 2025 at All Provider Bulletins, and the MassHealth’s Implementation of Interoperability and Prior Authorization Requirements web page.

For Provider Online Service Center (POSC) Users: Updates have been made to the POSC to reflect these changes. Namely, a new PA Classification field has been added to the POSC and allows providers to submit standard PAs or requests to expedite a PA. There is also an “Expedited” option available under the new PA Classification field within the POSC; however, providers should be aware that selecting “Expedited” will only result in an error upon submitting the PA. Again, within the POSC, providers may only submit standard PAs, or requests to expedite a PA; providers cannot submit a PA as “expedited”.

For questions or concerns, use the contact information below:

LTSS providers: please contact the LTSS Provider Service Center at [phone] or [e-mail].

All other providers: please contact MassHealth at [phone] or [e-mail].

Date published:	January 5, 2026