Rules & Regulations
MASSACHUSETTS HEALTH CARE REFORM
The Law
Massachusetts Health Care Reform became law on April 12, 2006. It is Massachusetts’ plan to reduce the number of people who have no health insurance. It also works to improve the cost and quality of health care.
- Read the entire law – Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006 – “An Act Providing Access to Affordable, Quality, Accountable Health Care.”
3 technical correction bills have been passed to update or amend the Health Reform Law:
- Chapter 324 of the Acts of 2006 – “An Act Relative to Health Care Access.”
- Chapter 450 of the Acts of 2006 – “An Act Further Regulating Health Care Access.”
- Chapter 205 of the Acts of 2007 – “An Act Further Regulating Health Care Access.”
Regulations
Massachusetts Individual Mandate
Massachusetts has an “individual health insurance mandate” which requires most adults to carry health insurance if it is affordable to them and that meets certain coverage standards (referred to as “Minimum Creditable Coverage” or “MCC”). The Massachusetts Health Connector sets the coverage and affordability standards, and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) administers the requirement via the state tax filing process. Please note that the standards described here are specific to the Massachusetts health reform law (not the Affordable Care Act, the federal health reform law).
Continue reading for more information about the individual mandate →
Public Hearing Notices
No hearings are currently scheduled. Please check back later.
Final Regulations
(Note: Official versions of these documents are available only from the Secretary of State and can be purchased at the State House Bookstore.)
- Table of Contents for Connector Regulations (956 CMR)
- Final Regulations 2.00 – Medicaid Managed Care Organization Participation in Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Program (CCHIP) (Repealed)
- Final Regulations 3.00 – Eligibility and Hearing Process for Commonwealth Care (Repealed)
- Final Regulations 4.00 – Employer Sponsored Health Insurance Access (Repealed)
- Final Regulations 5.00 – Minimum Creditable Coverage
- Final Regulations 6.00 – Determining Affordability for the Individual Mandate
- Final Regulations 7.00 – Small Group Wellness Incentive Program
- Final Regulations 8.00 – Student Health Insurance Program
- Final Regulations 9.00 – Employer Surcharge for State Funded Health Costs (Repealed)
- Final Regulations 10.00 – Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (Repealed)
- Final Regulations 11.00 – Employer Fair Share Contribution (Repealed)
- Final Regulations 12.00 – ConnectorCare Regulations
- Final Regulations 13.00 – Risk Adjustment Procedures for Small and Non-Group Market
Administrative Bulletins
- Administrative Bulletin 01-07: Commonwealth Care Procedures (Withdrawn 06/10/2009)
- Administrative Bulletin 02-07: Section 125
- Administrative Bulletin 03-07: Section 125 Filing Requirement
- Administrative Bulletin 04-07: Minimum Creditable Coverage Standards
- Administrative Bulletin 05-07: Guidance Regarding the 2007 Individual Mandate Penalty
- Administrative Bulletin 02-08: Guidance Regarding M.G.L.c. 111M and M.G.L.c. 176Q, as implemented by 956 CMR 6.00
- Administrative Bulletin 01-08: Guidance Regarding Minimum Creditable Coverage (MCC) Certification
- Administrative Bulletin 01-09: Guidance Regarding the Commonwealth Care Bridge Program
- Administrative Bulletin 02-09: Guidance Regarding M.G.L. c. 111M and M.G.L. c. 176Q as implemented by 956 CMR 6.00
- Administrative Bulletin 01-10: Waivers for Individuals Supporting Families in or from Haiti
- Administrative Bulletin 02-10: Guidance Regarding Minimum Creditable Coverage (MCC) Certification
- Administrative Bulletin 03-10: Guidance Regarding M.G.L. c. 111M and M.G.L. c. 176Q as implemented by 956 CMR 6.00
- Administrative Bulletin 01-13: Guidance Regarding Minimum Creditable Coverage (MCC) Regulations On and After January 1, 2014
- Administrative Bulletin 02-13: Guidance Regarding Minimum Creditable Coverage (MCC) Certification
- Administrative Bulletin 03-13: Changes for Employers Regarding Section 125 Plans and Other Policies
- Administrative Bulletin 04-13: Guidance Regarding Student Health Insurance Program Reporting
- Administrative Bulletin 05-13: Guidance Regarding Amendments to the Student Health Insurance Program
- Administrative Bulletin 01-14: Guidance Regarding Special Enrollment Periods
- Administrative Bulletin 01-15: Guidance Regarding Special Enrollment Periods
- Administrative Bulletin 02-15: Guidance Regarding Special Enrollment Periods
- Administrative Bulletin 03-15: Guidance Regarding Special Enrollment Periods
- Administrative Bulletin 01-17: Guidance Regarding Special Enrollment Periods
- Administrative Bulletin 02-17: Guidance Regarding Minimum Creditable Coverage (MCC) Out-of-Pocket Maximums
- Administrative Information Bulletin 01-18: Guidance Regarding Emergency Premium Waivers and Special Enrollment Periods for Persons Affected by Gas Explosion in Affected Communities
- Administrative Information Bulletin 01-19: Guidance Regarding a Special Enrollment Period for Consumers Currently or Formerly Enrolled in a Plan Sold by Simple Health Plans, LLC
- Administrative Information Bulletin 02-19: Guidance Regarding a Special Enrollment Period for Members of Aliera Healthcare, Inc.