Health Connector - Massachusetts Health Connector

Join the Massachusetts Health Connector for a “Day of Coverage” January 15, 2020

On Wednesday, January 15, 2020, the Massachusetts Health Connector embarks on a one-day, multi-city tour that includes stops at six locations along the North and South Shore to remind Massachusetts residents there is still time to get 2020 health coverage before Open Enrollment ends January 23. On Wednesday, January 15, 2020, the Massachusetts Health Connector holds its “Day of Coverage” featuring activities across the Commonwealth designed to help people #GetCovered with health insurance for the new year.“Day of Coverage” activities will be held in Boston, Hyannis, Lawrence, New Bedford, and Lowell. Open Enrollment is happening now and runs through January 23, 2020. Massachusetts residents who want to enroll in coverage or switch plans to start February 1, must sign up through the Health Connector by January 23rd. Residents can sign up for coverage at www.MAhealthconnector.org, over the phone at 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765), or in person through a local navigator organization. Here's where we'll be throughout the day on January 15th. We hope you'll join us or help spread the word by following the Health Connector on social media. Day of Coverage Locations & Times Boston Forest Hills MBTA Station, Jamaica Plain TIME: 7:00 a.m.–9:00 a.m. A Health Connector team will be at the Forest Hill MBTA station giving out free coffee, doughnuts, and health insurance information to commuters. Hyannis The Mayflower Bakery & Café 87 Falmouth Rd, Hyannis, MA TIME: 10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Join us for a Coffee and Pastries Happy Hour! Enjoy a cup of coffee or hot [...]

Join the Massachusetts Health Connector for a “Day of Coverage” December 18, 2019

On Wednesday, December 18, 2019, the Massachusetts Health Connector embarks on a one-day, multi-city tour that includes stops at four locations across the Commonwealth to remind Massachusetts residents there is still time to enroll in health insurance by Dec. 23 for coverage that starts Jan. 1, 2020. On Wednesday, December 18, 2019, the Massachusetts Health Connector holds its “Day of Coverage” featuring activities across the Commonwealth designed to help people #GetCovered and #StayCovered with health insurance for the new year.“Day of Coverage” activities will be held in Framingham, Springfield, Boston, and Deerfield. Open Enrollment is happening now and runs through January 23, 2020. Massachusetts residents who want to enroll in coverage or switch plans to start January 1, must sign up through the Health Connector by December 23rd. Residents can sign up for coverage at www.MAhealthconnector.org, over the phone at 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765), or in person through a local Navigator organization. Here's where we'll be throughout the day on December 18th. We hope you'll join us or help spread the word by following the Health Connector on social media. Day of Coverage Locations & Times Framingham Batucada Drum Corp Tour starts at City Hall, 150 Concord Street with stops around downtown Framingham (just follow the sounds of the drums!) TIME: 12:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. Health Connector will be joined by an exciting Brazilian drum corps (known as a batucada) and is visiting Framingham businesses to encourage city residents to get covered before the end of Open Enrollment, Jan. 23rd. Springfield [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector Open Enrollment Continues through January 23, Offering High-Quality and Affordable Coverage to Residents

BOSTON – December 9, 2019 – Open Enrollment for health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector continues through January 23, 2020, providing residents time to find affordable coverage that delivers a wide range of benefits to make it easier and less costly to get health care. Uninsured residents have until December 23 to apply, pick a plan and make a payment in order to have coverage starting January 1, and they have until January 23 to apply for coverage starting February 1. In contrast, Open Enrollment in other states served through the federal marketplace ends as early as December 15. “As a state-based exchange, we extend our Open Enrollment deadline to provide our residents with ample time to apply and enroll in high-quality coverage,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Massachusetts leads the nation with 97 percent of residents insured, but now is the time for people without coverage to sign up as we work to get to 100 percent and ensure everyone has access to quality health care.” The Health Connector provides some of the lowest premiums of any exchange in the country for people who need coverage, with a broad range of plans to help members find the best fit for their health care needs. Low-income residents have access to affordable coverage through the ConnectorCare program, with subsidized premiums, low co-pays and no deductibles. In the first five weeks of Open Enrollment, 288,000 people were enrolled in new or continued health coverage for 2020. [...]

Shop smart to avoid health insurance scams

Not all companies selling health insurance are actually selling you good coverage. Some companies may try to sign you up for a “scam plan” that doesn’t meet legal requirements or may not even be real. These plans look affordable on the surface, but they may not offer the services or benefits you need to meet state standards. They may end up leaving you with big bills if you need care. That’s why it’s important to be a smart insurance shopper. Use these tips to watch out for plans that won’t be there for you when you need them, and learn how to find a health plan you can trust. Checklist for choosing health insurance you can trust Beware of unsolicited offers of health coverage over the phone or online. Many predatory companies will call you on your phone. They may use high-pressure sales tactics and claim that they can offer you low-cost access to name-brand health plans. If you get a call from a salesperson offering you health insurance, follow these tips to protect yourself: Research a phone number or company online to check its history. Never share personal information with an unsolicited telemarketer. Know that legitimate calls from the Health Connector about your coverage will only come from 1-877-623-6765, and state that “we’re calling from the Massachusetts Health Connector.” Check with the Division of Insurance (DOI) to make sure the health plan is legitimate. You should only buy health insurance from a company that is licensed [...]

Open Enrollment begins through Massachusetts Health Connector

BOSTON – Nov. 1, 2019 – The Massachusetts Health Connector started Open Enrollment this morning, making affordable coverage available to anyone in Massachusetts without health insurance, including lower-income people who can take advantage of low premiums and co-pays through the ConnectorCare program. The Health Connector is Massachusetts’ state-based health insurance exchange, and provides health insurance to residents who do not get coverage through their employer. More than 97 percent of Massachusetts residents have health insurance, a result of the state’s 13-year old law which sought to ensure everyone in the Commonwealth has coverage. Nearly 290,000 people in Massachusetts get their health insurance through the Health Connector, and about three-quarters of those members are in ConnectorCare, benefitting from both state and federal subsidies to help make premiums and cost-sharing more affordable. For those shopping without financial assistance, the Health Connector year-over-year offers the lowest rates of any exchange in the nation. “Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in health insurance coverage, but we remain focused on getting to 100 percent – getting everyone covered,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Open Enrollment is the best time for people without coverage to get it, and we are ready to offer a stable and supportive experience to people looking for insurance.” Open Enrollment starts today and runs through Jan. 23, 2020. Not only can residents sign up for new coverage, but current Health Connector members can review their options and select a new plan if they choose [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector Selects Faneuil to Strengthen Customer Service for its 300,000 Members

BOSTON – Aug. 21, 2019 – The Massachusetts Health Connector has selected Faneuil as its new customer service vendor due to its extensive experience in supporting state-based exchanges and demonstrated ability to improve existing communication channels and create new platforms for customer interaction. Starting in June 2020, Faneuil will operate the Health Connector’s contact center and walk-in locations and deliver new ways for the Health Connector’s more than 300,000 health and dental insurance members to get information and help about their coverage. “Our top priority is delivering accurate information and support to our members in the way most convenient to them, to ensure they have the access to affordable coverage they deserve,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “We are looking forward to working with Faneuil and delivering high-quality customer service to our members.” “The Massachusetts Health Connector is considered a trailblazer and leader in health care reform by insuring nearly 98 percent of state residents,” said Faneuil President and Chief Executive Officer Anna Van Buren. “We are honored to partner with Massachusetts Health Connector and welcome the opportunity to serve its customers by increasing the communication channels available to customers and leveraging our many years of expertise supporting state-based exchanges.” The Health Connector handles more than 1 million phone calls year, and walk-in centers in Boston, Worcester, Springfield and Brockton provide in-person support to nearly 83,000 visitors per year. Faneuil will take over operations of the contact center and walk-in centers, bringing along [...]

Join the Massachusetts Health Connector for a Day of Coverage June 27, 2019

On Thursday, June 27, 2019, the Massachusetts Health Connector embarks on a one-day, multi-city tour that includes stops at six locations across the Commonwealth to remind Massachusetts residents to enroll in health coverage. All events are free and open to the public. On Thursday, June 27, 2019, the Massachusetts Health Connector holds its “Day of Coverage” featuring activities across the Commonwealth designed to help people #GetCovered and #StayCovered with health insurance .“Day of Coverage” activities will be held in Salem, Somerville, Westfield, Boston's Chinatown, Brockton, and Jamaica Plain. Eligible Massachusetts residents can enroll in coverage anytime of the year if they are eligible for certain programs or experience a qualifying life event. Learn more about these now → Residents can sign up for coverage at www.MAhealthconnector.org, over the phone at 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765), or in person through a local Navigator organization. Here's where we'll be throughout the day on June 27th. We hope you'll join us or help spread the word by following the Health Connector on social media. Day of Coverage Locations & Times Salem Salem Waffle Breakfast at the Commuter Rail stop 252 Bridge St, Salem, MA 01970 TIME: 6:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. A Health Connector team will be at the Commuter Rail station serving waffles, coffee, and information on how to sign up for health and dental coverage. Somerville See Cate Great! in Davis Square TIME: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. The brilliant Cate Great! will perform a 30-minute show including unicycling, juggling, and sharing her experiences as a [...]

Celiac Disease Friendly Restaurants in Massachusetts

May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month. If you have the disease, or a gluten sensitivity, going out to eat can be a challenge. We looked at top choices from Find Me Gluten Free—a website dedicated to help people with gluten-sensitivity find safe restaurant choices—to share some top Massachusetts locations. Luckily, there are many restaurants all over Commonwealth that offer delicious, gluten-free and allergen-friendly options. Here are just a few options available: Sunset Grill and Pizza, Amherst, MA Looking for a quick bite out to eat with friends? Customers with Celiac Disease find it hard to find safe pizza option without a lot of research ahead of time, but Sunset Grill and Pizza makes it easy with its variety of gluten-free pizzas, sandwiches, and desserts. One customer even claimed that “eating here makes me feel like I don’t have Celiac!” Woodman’s of Essex, Essex, MA There are many good seafood options in New England, and Woodman’s in Essex offers a wide variety of options for all types of customers. Customers with gluten allergies can enjoy fried favorites like calamari and french-fries without worry, making the restaurant widely popular among customers with 96% of 60 voters rating it as Celiac-friendly and an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars among 65 reviewers. Milford Pizza Palace, Milford, MA If you think Celiac Disease means you are banned from pizza forever, think again. This Worcester County restaurant not only has an entire Gluten-Free menu, but the menu also lists every single ingredient [...]

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Health Connector for Business Kickoff Small Business Week with Partnership to Better Empower Small Businesses to Access Affordable Health Insurance

BOSTON – May 6, 2019 – Working to empower small businesses to access affordable health insurance for employees, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) kicks off National Small Business Week by announcing a new partnership with the Health Connector for Business that delivers cost-saving opportunities to employers and health care insurance choice to employees. Through the partnership, GBCC small-business members (employers with less than 50 employees) will be able to create and manage accounts online and have direct access to support through customer service. In addition, health insurance brokers who are GBCC members will be connected to those small-business members to maximize the benefits of the platform. “Small businesses make up more than half of our Greater Boston Chamber membership, and we know that the rising costs of doing business can seriously impact their ability to succeed and grow,” said James E. Rooney, president and CEO of the GBCC. “We’re thrilled to partner with Health Connector for Business on an initiative that provides our small businesses and their employees with more health insurance options at more affordable rates.” “We are excited to enter into this partnership with the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and are committed to helping empower more small businesses access affordable health insurance,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Health Connector for Business can provide cost savings to small businesses, while delivering to employees unique choice opportunities they previously were unable to access.” Through the new partnership, Greater Boston Chamber of [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector Selects Softheon to Modernize Billing and Payment Operations with Members, and Enrollment Data Transfer to Carriers

BOSTON – April 11, 2019 – Continuing to modernize and automate customer and carrier operations, the Massachusetts Health Connector Board of Directors today approved a five-year contract with Softheon, which will deliver new payment options for members while maintaining consistent enrollment information transfer to carriers. Starting in June 2020, members will be able to pay their monthly premiums by using a debit card, credit card or automated phone system fulfilling a long-time request from members for a wider variety of payment options. Softheon will also develop state-of-the-art billing and notice-delivery processes for the Health Connector. “Our goal as an agency is to deliver to our members high-quality, efficient customer service that supports a broader variety of consumer needs,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “We are looking forward to the work with Softheon, so as to improve services for members and carriers.” “Softheon is truly honored to partner with the Health Connector in their mission to serve the citizens of Massachusetts,” said Eugene Sayan, Founder & CEO of Softheon. “As the health care industry embraces the digital transformation, we are committed to making health care affordable, accessible, and plentiful for all Americans.” The contract for Softheon includes configuring their systems and connecting them to existing operations by June 2020, and four years of running the Health Connector’s enrollment and billing operations. The five-year contract, which includes the creation of a new member portal, is valued at $60 million, along with potentially two, two-year extensions at [...]

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