Helping individuals and families access affordable and comprehensive health insurance
National health reform helps families pay for health insurance with premium tax credits available to millions of people. The law also takes important steps to ensure that the coverage available for individuals and families includes meaningful consumer protections.
More Affordable Health Insurance
More People Qualify for Medicaid
Prior to national health reform, eligibility for the state’s Medicaid program, MassHealth, was limited to certain categories of people, such as pregnant women, children under 19 and their parents, the disabled and the elderly, if their income met certain requirements. Since 2014, as a result of national health reform, all Massachusetts residents under 133 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) will be eligible for MassHealth if they are citizens or qualified aliens. For example, a family of four that makes less than $39,900 a year in 2023 may qualify for MassHealth.
Tax Credits to Help Pay for Insurance
New federal tax credits designed to help people pay for their health insurance premiums will also become available. Many individuals and families may qualify for federal tax credits to lower the cost of their premiums when they purchase insurance plans through the Health Connector.
State-Subsidized Health Plans
In addition to federal tax credits, Massachusetts offers additional savings to those who are eligible. ConnectorCare plans are a set of health insurance plans with lower premiums and lower out-of-pocket costs that are subsidized by the state, as well as by the federal government through national health reform. By shopping through the Health Connector, individuals can easily and quickly find out if they qualify for one of these plans.
More Comprehensive Coverage
National health reform strengthens consumer protections and ensures that health insurance provides comprehensive coverage. While some of the insurance changes introduced by national health reform were already in place in Massachusetts, new consumer protections mean even better benefits for Massachusetts residents.
These include:
- Coverage of preventive care services with no cost-sharing
- No annual limits on benefits considered “Essential Health Benefits”
- No lifetime limits on benefits
- The ability for young people to stay on their parents’ coverage until age 26