Effective for dates of service on or after July 1, 2026, services for Tufts Health Together with Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) Accountable Care Organization (ACO) members will require referrals from their primary care providers for specialty services outside of the CHA network. 

Providers can verify whether a service requires a referral by checking the member’s plan and benefit information or contacting the Tufts Health Plan Provider Service Center.

Please follow standard referral submission processes. You can check the status of your referral at your convenience through the provider portal. Details on how to conduct a referral inquiry can be found in the Tufts Health Plan Secure Provider Portal User Guide. 

Providers are encouraged to ensure that staff are aware of referral requirements to avoid claim payment delays. As a reminder, if a service that requires a referral is rendered without a referral submitted, Point32Health will deny the claim. For additional information, consult the Referrals, Prior Authorizations and Notifications chapter of the Tufts Health Public Plan Provider Manual. 

This update is consistent with MassHealth’s reinstatement of referrals per MassHealth All Provider Bulletin 403.