Many parents hear about in-home therapy from a school counselor, a pediatrician, or another parent, and then get stuck on the same question: does my child even qualify? The rules are simpler than they look. There are three main pieces, and you do not need to sort them out alone. Our Therapy in Your Home team walks families through each step.
What is in-home therapy in Massachusetts?
In-home therapy is a MassHealth service where a team comes to your home to work with your child and family. At Northeast Family Services, that team is an in-home therapy provider plus a therapeutic training and support worker. Sessions happen once or twice a week, at the kitchen table or wherever your family feels most at ease, and phone contact and consultation are part of the service.
It is one of the services offered through the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative, the MassHealth program that brings behavioral health care to children in their homes and communities. If CBHI is new to you, our earlier post on what CBHI is and how it helps Massachusetts families covers the basics.
How old does my child need to be?
Your child must be under 21. That means babies, school-age kids, teens, and young adults up to their 21st birthday can all be considered. The age limit is the same for the other CBHI services we provide, including In-Home Behavioral Therapy and Therapeutic Mentoring.
Families with a young adult who is about to age out should reach out sooner rather than later, so there is time to plan what support comes next, such as therapy in our office.
Which MassHealth plans cover in-home therapy?
In-home therapy is a MassHealth benefit, so your child needs to be a MassHealth member. The plan type matters. Children enrolled in these MassHealth coverage types can qualify:
- MassHealth Standard
- MassHealth CommonHealth
- MassHealth Family Assistance
If you are not sure which plan your child has, check the MassHealth card or the letter you got when you enrolled, or simply tell us and we will verify it. Our accepted insurance page lists MassHealth along with Tufts Public Health and Mass General Brigham Public Health, which are also Medicaid plans. For a deeper look at coverage, read does MassHealth cover therapy in Massachusetts?
There is no cost to families who qualify for CBHI services through Northeast Family Services. The state also notes in its MassHealth covered services guidance that there have been no copays for MassHealth-covered services since April 1, 2024.
What does “medically necessary” mean for in-home therapy?
Age and insurance get your child in the door. The third piece is clinical need. In-home therapy has to be medically necessary, which means a clinician has looked at what is going on and agrees that this level of support at home makes sense for your child.
Kids who qualify often have emotional or behavioral challenges that show up in daily life. Some common examples:
- Frequent blowups or meltdowns at home that the family cannot calm
- Trouble at school that is starting to affect attendance or grades
- Sadness, worry, or withdrawal that keeps getting worse
- Family conflict after a divorce, a move, or a loss
- A child who will not engage with an office therapist
Eligibility is based on your child’s clinical needs and their MassHealth coverage, and our team can help you understand what is needed.
What is the CANS assessment?
The CANS, short for Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths, is the assessment tool Massachusetts uses for children in MassHealth behavioral health services. It looks at how your child is doing across areas like mood, behavior, school, and family life, and it also notes strengths your child already has.
You do not have to prepare for it. A clinician fills it out by talking with you and your child. The results help decide which services fit and give the team a starting point for goals. The CANS is updated over time, so it also shows progress.
Who is in-home therapy a good fit for?
Even when a child qualifies, in-home therapy is not the only option. It tends to work best for:
- Children and teens who struggle to engage in a traditional office
- Families where transportation is a barrier to steady care
- Parents who want hands-on help managing hard behavior at home
- Families dealing with trauma, conflict, or big changes
If your child does well in an office and your schedule allows it, outpatient therapy at one of our Massachusetts locations may be the better match. Our post on in-home therapy or outpatient therapy: which one does your family need? lays out the differences side by side. Many families also use more than one CBHI service as part of a coordinated plan.
Where does Northeast Family Services offer in-home therapy?
We provide in-home therapy across Massachusetts, with offices in Worcester, West Springfield, North Andover, Dorchester, and Fall River. Because the team comes to you, your home does not need to be next door to an office. Tell us your town and we will let you know who can reach you.
Families in other states have similar programs. In Rhode Island, home-based care runs through HBTS, PASS, and ABA for families covered by Rhode Island Medicaid. In New York, it runs through CFTSS for families enrolled in Medicaid. Therapy in the home is not offered through Northeast Family Services in New Hampshire.
Northeast Family Services was founded in 2003, is CARF accredited, and has more than 20 years of experience providing CBHI services.
How do we find out if my child qualifies?
You do not need to know the rules before you reach out. Fill out the Massachusetts request form on our Get Started page or call 774-206-1125. Tell us a little about your child, your town, and your MassHealth plan. Our team will walk you through eligibility, MassHealth verification, and what to expect, at no cost and with no commitment.
The timeline depends on eligibility checks and MassHealth authorization. We keep you informed the whole way and work to connect your family as quickly as possible.
If your child or family is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call or text the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445, free and available 24 hours a day.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for in-home therapy in Massachusetts?
Children and young adults under 21 who are enrolled in MassHealth Standard, CommonHealth, or Family Assistance and have an emotional or behavioral need that makes in-home therapy medically necessary.
Does my child need a diagnosis?
Eligibility is based on your child’s clinical needs and MassHealth coverage, and our team can explain what is needed for your situation.
Do I need a referral for in-home therapy?
No. You do not need a referral in hand before you contact us. Fill out our form and we will guide you through any steps your child’s situation requires.
Is there a cost for in-home therapy?
CBHI services through Northeast Family Services are funded by MassHealth, and there is no cost to families who qualify.
What if my child has commercial insurance only?
In-home therapy through CBHI requires MassHealth. If your child has a commercial plan, outpatient therapy in our office or telehealth may be a good option, and we can check your benefits.
How often does the in-home team visit?
Sessions usually happen once or twice a week in your home, with phone contact and consultation in between.
Can my child get in-home therapy and Therapeutic Mentoring at the same time?
Yes. Many children receive more than one CBHI service as part of a single coordinated plan.
Ready to find out if your child qualifies? Get started with Northeast Family Services or call 774-206-1125, and our team will take it from there.
