Health Connector, Author at Massachusetts Health Connector

Massachusetts Health Connector 2021 Open Enrollment Period: Final Enrollment Results

June 2022—In 2021, the passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and its significant advancement of affordable health care induced the Health Connector to extend its Open Enrollment (OE) period. Typically, OE is from November 1 through January 23, but in 2021 was extended until July 23 to allow uninsured residents ample opportunity to access ARP-enhanced subsidies, including more robust Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) and special benefits for members reporting unemployment income. The Health Connector enrolled 87,000 new members in Exchange coverage over the course of the 2021 OE period.

Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “Affordability of Employer Coverage for Family Members of Employees”

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.

May 17, 2022 Webinar Recording: Health Insurance Options and Savings through the Health Connector

Video Download Presentation PDF Download Presentation American Rescue Plan & Health Connector Coverage The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 helps lower health insurance premiums for Health Connector members and provides new help paying for health insurance premiums for people who’ve never qualified before. Learn more and find frequently asked questions→ Questions & Answers Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is used to determine your eligibility for subsidies through the Health Connector. More information and a form to assist you in calculating your annual projected income can be found below. Questions in the application will guide you through the information that you need to supply. In general, we recommend that you read the tooltips in the application if you have questions. It’s also helpful to have a copy of your most recent tax return handy so that you can compare your income or account for deductions that you might also have for 2022. Get full details at https://www.mahealthconnector.org/how-do-i-answer-questions-about-income Estimating your income while on unemployment can be difficult as your employment status may change, and for that reason we encourage people to return to their application any time they have a change in circumstances, including a change in their income. When estimating your yearly/annual income, combine the income you expect to earn in 2022 prior to becoming unemployed with your weekly unemployment benefit amount for the duration of the expected unemployed period (up to 39 weeks). If you think [...]

Grabación del seminario web del 12 de abril de 2022: Opciones de seguros de salud y ahorros a través de Health Connector

Vídeo Descargar presentación de PowerPoint (PDF) Descargar presentación American Rescue Plan & Health Connector Coverage The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 helps lower health insurance premiums for Health Connector members and provides new help paying for health insurance premiums for people who’ve never qualified before. Learn more and find frequently asked questions→ Preguntas y respuestas Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is used to determine your eligibility for subsidies through the Health Connector. More information and a form to assist you in calculating your annual projected income can be found below. Questions in the application will guide you through the information that you need to supply. In general, we recommend that you read the tooltips in the application if you have questions. It’s also helpful to have a copy of your most recent tax return handy so that you can compare your income or account for deductions that you might also have for 2021. Get full details at https://www.mahealthconnector.org/how-do-i-answer-questions-about-income Estimating your income while on unemployment can be difficult as your employment status may change, and for that reason we encourage people to return to their application any time they have a change in circumstances, including a change in their income. When estimating your yearly/annual income, combine the income you earned in 2021 (or expect to earn in 2022) prior to becoming unemployed with your weekly unemployment benefit amount for the duration of the expected unemployed period (up [...]

March 15, 2022 Webinar Recording: Health Insurance Options and Savings through the Health Connector

Video Download Presentation PDF Download Presentation American Rescue Plan & Health Connector Coverage The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 helps lower health insurance premiums for Health Connector members and provides new help paying for health insurance premiums for people who’ve never qualified before. Learn more and find frequently asked questions→ Questions & Answers Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is used to determine your eligibility for subsidies through the Health Connector. More information and a form to assist you in calculating your annual projected income can be found below. Questions in the application will guide you through the information that you need to supply. In general, we recommend that you read the tooltips in the application if you have questions. It’s also helpful to have a copy of your most recent tax return handy so that you can compare your income or account for deductions that you might also have for 2022. Get full details at https://www.mahealthconnector.org/how-do-i-answer-questions-about-income Estimating your income while on unemployment can be difficult as your employment status may change, and for that reason we encourage people to return to their application any time they have a change in circumstances, including a change in their income. When estimating your yearly/annual income, combine the income you expect to earn in 2022 prior to becoming unemployed with your weekly unemployment benefit amount for the duration of the expected unemployed period (up to 39 weeks). If you think [...]

Health Equity Initiatives in the 2023 Seal of Approval

Starting in 2023, Health Connector coverage will include new benefits, protections, and reduced cost-sharing to advance health equity objectives. The Health Connector is among the leaders of state-based marketplaces in leveraging its plan certification process to explicitly advance and invest in targeted health equity priorities. Informed by state and national health policy research and data, and stakeholder engagement, Health Connector staff identified health equity concerns in the health coverage landscape and designed its 2023 Seal of Approval plan certification process to advance objectives tailored to address those equity issues. The 2023 Seal of Approval addresses the opportunity to address equity issues related to the racially disparate incidence of key chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, asthma, coronary artery disease, and hypertension) and how they relate to inequities in health outcomes, disparities in foregone health care services due to cost concerns, and disparate burdens associated with medical debt. These issues – if left unaddressed – further exacerbate health status and life expectancy disparities, as well as economic inequities. The Seal of Approval for 2023 also prioritizes equity objectives as they relate to behavioral health care access, gender-affirming care, meaningful access to care for residents with limited English proficiency and/or who are immigrants, and equitable access to provider and carrier choices for all residents obtaining coverage on-marketplace in accordance with the spirit of state health reform and the Affordable Care Act. Health equity problem Targeted Health Connector 2023 Seal of Approval response Health disparities in health status and chronic [...]

February 15, 2022 Webinar Recording: Health Insurance Options and Savings through the Health Connector

Video Download Presentation PDF Download Presentation American Rescue Plan & Health Connector Coverage The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 helps lower health insurance premiums for Health Connector members and provides new help paying for health insurance premiums for people who’ve never qualified before. Learn more and find frequently asked questions→ Questions & Answers Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is used to determine your eligibility for subsidies through the Health Connector. More information and a form to assist you in calculating your annual projected income can be found below. Questions in the application will guide you through the information that you need to supply. In general, we recommend that you read the tooltips in the application if you have questions. It’s also helpful to have a copy of your most recent tax return handy so that you can compare your income or account for deductions that you might also have for 2022. Get full details at https://www.mahealthconnector.org/how-do-i-answer-questions-about-income Estimating your income while on unemployment can be difficult as your employment status may change, and for that reason we encourage people to return to their application any time they have a change in circumstances, including a change in their income. When estimating your yearly/annual income, combine the income you expect to earn in 2022 prior to becoming unemployed with your weekly unemployment benefit amount for the duration of the expected unemployed period (up to 39 weeks). If you think [...]

Simple Sign-up health insurance enrollment is as easy as checking a box on the state tax form

New program will simplify sign up for coverage through the Health Connector February 7, 2022 – Uninsured Massachusetts residents can check a box on their state tax forms to quickly start the process of getting health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector’s new Simple Sign-up program. The program will increase access to health insurance, and provide assistance signing up for coverage to thousands of residents. Through the Simple Sign-up program, when checking the box on the tax form, individuals authorize the Department of Revenue to communicate select elements of the tax filer’s information with the Health Connector. The Health Connector will use this information to create and send tailored information to the tax filer, and to work with residents towards obtaining the most appropriate health plan. Many communities of color have higher rates of uninsured residents, an inequity that the new Health Connector program seeks to address. Every resident completing their state taxes must have health insurance or face an individual mandate penalty. The new checkbox on the state tax form will make it easy for uninsured residents to get covered through the Health Connector, the Commonwealth’s health insurance exchange. “Simple Sign-up is a convenient new way for residents without coverage to find a path to health insurance coverage,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “The Health Connector will be able to send information directly to those who check the box, and provide assistance obtaining the coverage and help paying for health insurance to meet their [...]

Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2023”

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.

January 11, 2022 Webinar Recording: Health Insurance Options and Savings through the Health Connector

Video Download Presentation PDF Download Presentation American Rescue Plan & Health Connector Coverage The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 helps lower health insurance premiums for Health Connector members and provides new help paying for health insurance premiums for people who’ve never qualified before. Learn more and find frequently asked questions→ Questions & Answers Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is used to determine your eligibility for subsidies through the Health Connector. More information and a form to assist you in calculating your annual projected income can be found below. Questions in the application will guide you through the information that you need to supply. In general, we recommend that you read the tooltips in the application if you have questions. It’s also helpful to have a copy of your most recent tax return handy so that you can compare your income or account for deductions that you might also have for 2022. Get full details at https://www.mahealthconnector.org/how-do-i-answer-questions-about-income Estimating your income while on unemployment can be difficult as your employment status may change, and for that reason we encourage people to return to their application any time they have a change in circumstances, including a change in their income. When estimating your yearly/annual income, combine the income you expect to earn in 2022 prior to becoming unemployed with your weekly unemployment benefit amount for the duration of the expected unemployed period (up to 39 weeks). If you think [...]

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