Reports & Publications

Massachusetts led the nation in 2006 with a comprehensive health care reform law and the establishment of a new Marketplace: the Massachusetts Health Connector, designed to make affordable health insurance available to more people. Over 300,000 Massachusetts residents have health insurance through the Health Connector, and our state has the highest rate of health insurance coverage in the nation. National health reform builds upon the successful example set by Massachusetts. As a result, individuals, families, and small businesses who go to the Health Connector can find even more options, enhanced benefits, and savings.

Publications

^NEW ConnectorCare Expansion Pilot Report

The ConnectorCare pilot expansion in Massachusetts has provided over 51,000 residents with access to more affordable health insurance, thanks to increased income eligibility limits from 300 percent to 500 percent of the federal poverty level. This initiative, part of the Fiscal Year 2024 state budget, has resulted in significant cost savings for members, with some saving over $150 monthly on premiums. A survey revealed that 88 percent of participants had utilized their new coverage, with one in five accessing previously deferred preventative services.

The program, supported by state and federal subsidies, offers low co-pays, no deductibles, and free prescriptions for chronic conditions, enhancing health equity. The expansion has led to record membership levels for the Health Connector, with 271,000 people enrolled in ConnectorCare as of August 2024.

Download the Report

Massachusetts Health Connector Strategic Plan 2024–2028

The Massachusetts Health Connector is the country’s first and longest-running state-based health insurance Marketplace, created in 2006 as part of Massachusetts state health reform (Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006) to provide high-value coverage to individuals and small businesses in the Commonwealth and to serve as a policy and outreach hub for both state and federal health reforms designed to expand and improve health coverage.

Read the Report

Past Publications

Massachusetts Health Connector 2022 Open Enrollment Period: Final Enrollment Results

Wednesday, June 8th, 2022|

Massachusetts Health Connector 2021 Open Enrollment Period: Final Enrollment Results

Wednesday, June 8th, 2022|

Data on the Massachusetts Individual Mandate: State Coverage Gains Under the Affordable Care Act

Thursday, September 9th, 2021|

Public Comment Letters

Title	Create Date	Excerpt	Category
Comment Letter on the proposed rule, “HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025”	01/08/2024	The Massachusetts Health Connector provided detailed feedback on the 2025 NBPP proposed rule, voicing strong support for robust network adequacy standards, a permanent special enrollment period (SEP) for low-income individuals, and expanding access to routine adult dental benefits. These measures aim to strengthen consumer protection, reduce barriers to coverage, and enhance access to essential health services.	Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP), Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the proposed rule, “Requirements Related to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act”	10/03/2023	The Massachusetts Health Connector has voiced strong support for the proposed rule “Requirements Related to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act,” emphasizing the critical need for equal access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits. The proposal comes at a time when the mental health crisis has intensified nationwide and in Massachusetts, with rising rates of psychological distress, substance use disorders, and barriers to care.	Affordability, market stability, and consumer protection, Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the proposed rule, “Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance; Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage; Level-Funded Plan Arrangements; and Tax Treatment of Certain Accident and Health Insurance”	09/01/2023	The Massachusetts Health Connector submitted a comment letter in support of proposed changes to regulations surrounding Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance (STLDI) and related coverage options. These updates aim to protect consumers and promote equitable access to comprehensive health care.	Affordability, market stability, and consumer protection, Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “Clarifying Eligibility for a Qualified Health Plan Through an Exchange, Advance Payments of the Premium Tax Credit, Cost-Sharing Reductions, a Basic Health Program, and for Some Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs”	06/23/2023	The Massachusetts Health Connector has voiced its strong support for the proposed rule to expand health coverage eligibility to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. By including DACA recipients as "lawfully present," this rule would grant access to crucial health programs such as Marketplace subsidies, Medicaid, and the Basic Health Program.	Immigrant status and health, Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the proposed rule, “Coverage of Certain Preventive Services under the Affordable Care Act”	04/03/2023	The Massachusetts Health Connector submitted a comment letter expressing strong support for the proposed rule, "Coverage of Certain Preventive Services under the Affordable Care Act." This rule aims to expand access to preventive services, including contraception, while addressing exemptions for entities with religious or moral objections.	Affordability, market stability, and consumer protection, Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2024”	01/30/2023	The Massachusetts Health Connector has submitted its feedback on the proposed 2024 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) rule, supporting key measures like allowing income attestation flexibility, advancing auto-enrollment policies, and broadening special enrollment period options. These actions aim to enhance coverage access while reducing administrative hurdles that often deter individuals from securing insurance.	Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP), Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities”	09/27/2022	The Massachusetts Health Connector has expressed strong support for the proposed rule to reinforce nondiscrimination protections in health programs and activities. Advocating for the inclusion of protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and language proficiency, the Health Connector emphasizes the critical role these measures play in ensuring equitable access to health care for all.	Nondiscrimination, Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “Affordability of Employer Coverage for Family Members of Employees”	05/31/2022	The Massachusetts Health Connector has submitted a comment letter in support of the proposed rule addressing the affordability of employer-sponsored family coverage. The letter strongly endorses including family coverage costs in affordability assessments, aligning with the ACA's goals of ensuring meaningful access to affordable health care.	Affordability, market stability, and consumer protection, Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2023”	01/27/2022	The Massachusetts Health Connector submitted feedback on the proposed 2023 NBPP rule, raising concerns about the State Exchange Improper Payment Measurement program due to its potential burden on state flexibility and innovation. The letter advocates for maintaining flexibility in actuarial value variations to preserve affordable plan options for consumers.	Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP), Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Updating Payment Parameters, Section 1332 Waiver Implementing Regulations, and Improving Health Insurance Markets for 2022 and Beyond”	07/28/2021	The Massachusetts Health Connector has provided robust feedback on the proposed 2022 NBPP updates, strongly supporting the repeal of the direct enrollment option to safeguard consumer protections and ensure transparency in health plan selection. The letter also endorses the restoration of the 2015 Section 1332 waiver guidance to uphold comprehensive coverage standards and promote health equity.	Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP), Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the Draft 2022 Federal Actuarial Value Calculator Methodology	12/24/2020	The Massachusetts Health Connector and Division of Insurance have shared key feedback on the draft 2022 Federal Actuarial Value Calculator Methodology. The comment letter emphasizes concerns over how the current methodology affects plan design, particularly for bronze-level plans, which are increasingly difficult to keep affordable and within federal standards.	Affordability, market stability, and consumer protection, Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the proposed rule, “Securing Updated and Necessary Statutory Evaluations Timely”	12/04/2020	The Massachusetts Health Connector has raised significant concerns about the proposed SUNSET rule, which could lead to the automatic expiration of vital health regulations if not reviewed in a timely manner. The Health Connector warns that this approach risks creating disruptions in health coverage and unpredictability in the insurance market, potentially harming consumers and states that rely on these protections.	Affordability, market stability, and consumer protection, Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “Affidavit of Support on Behalf of Immigrants”	11/02/2020	The Massachusetts Health Connector has voiced strong opposition to the proposed rule on the Affidavit of Support for immigrants, citing concerns over its detrimental effects on both health coverage and economic stability within the state. The letter highlights how the rule could deter immigrant families from accessing essential health care, undermining the Commonwealth’s pursuit of near-universal insurance coverage.	Immigrant status and health, Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the proposed rule, “Certain Medical Care Arrangements”	08/10/2020	The Massachusetts Health Connector has submitted a comment letter addressing concerns about the proposed rule on Certain Medical Care Arrangements. The Health Connector emphasizes the risks of consumer confusion with health care sharing ministries, which often lack the protections of ACA-compliant insurance.	Affordability, market stability, and consumer protection, Public Comment Letters
Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2021; Notice Requirement for Non-Federal Governmental Plans”	02/28/2020	The Massachusetts Health Connector provided feedback on the proposed 2021 Benefit and Payment Parameters, emphasizing the importance of maintaining automatic re-enrollment to ensure coverage continuity for residents. The letter highlights the critical need for state flexibility in managing eligibility processes, allowing tailored solutions that align with local market dynamics.	Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP), Public Comment Letters

Data on the Individual Mandate

December 2019 — Data on the Massachusetts Individual Mandate: Health Connector Analysis of Department of Revenue Tax Filers Data Tax Years 2013–2015

November 2017 — The Massachusetts Individual Mandate: Design, Administration, and Results

July 2016 —The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation published two reports about the remaining uninsured in Massachusetts co-authored by the Health Connector and the University of Massachusetts Medical School:

We worked with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue to review enforcement of the requirement to enroll in health coverage.

Leading the Way

Massachusetts has the highest rate of insured residents in the nation, 96.3%. Reform has improved thousands of lives, and has only added 1% in new costs to the state budget, according to an independent analysis.

Reports to the Massachusetts Legislature

These data-rich reports provide a comprehensive review of our work each year.

Progress Reports

Each year, the Health Connector publishes a booklet highlighting what we’ve accomplished and who we’ve helped.

Sharing Lessons Learned

Historical, pre-Affordable Care Act, studies and toolkits examine the Massachusetts health reform model and can inform the work of other states.

Market-wide Risk Adjustment

The Health Connector administered the market-wide risk adjustment program for the small and non-group merged market for plan years effective January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2016.

Beginning in 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service began conducting risk adjustment for the Massachusetts market.

The Massachusetts-specific approach to risk adjustment was detailed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters 2016 (PDF) released March 27, 2015.

The Technical specifications workbook (MS Excel) is also publicly available: