MassHealth Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Public Assessor Option

Get Help with an Assessment for In-Home Long-Term Services and Supports

Beginning October 1, 2026, some MassHealth members can use the PAO as another way to get an assessment for certain in-home or community-based long-term services and supports.

Long-term Services and Supports (LTSS) can help people to live safely at home or in the community by supporting health needs and daily activities.

The MassHealth LTSS Public Assessor Option, also called the PAO, can complete the assessment needed to help find out if you qualify for certain MassHealth services.

The PAO can be used to complete assessments that help determine eligibility for the following services:

• Adult Day Health (ADH)
• Adult Foster Care (AFC)
• Group Adult Foster Care (GAFC)
• Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Program

How the PAO can help:

• Complete your required assessment
• Help find out if you qualify for the service
• Explain what happens after the assessment
• Help connect you to  your next step to access services

Contact the PAO if:

• You want to request an assessment for ADH, AFC, GAFC, or PCA
• You want an assessment to learn which services you may qualify for and explore your options

After you contact the PAO to request an assessment, what happens next?

1. The PAO reviews your referral information.
2. PAO talks with you about any next steps.
3. The PAO schedules an assessment, if one is needed.
4. The PAO may contact your doctor to ask for any additional information that may be needed.
5. Depending on the information needed by the PAO, you may need an additional visit with your doctor prior to an assessment being done.
6. The PAO completes the assessment.
7. PAO lets you know what happens after the assessment. This may include helping you choose a service provider, if you do not already have one in mind and you qualify for services.