Health Connector, Author at Massachusetts Health Connector

National Coalition Launches “Get Covered 2021” Urging America To Mask Up and Get Insured—Focus on COVID And Coverage For 16 Million Americans Eligible for Financial Help Now

“Get Covered” is a call to wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID as well as a public statement that you want your family and friends to get health insurance. COVID underscores why insurance matters - but not just because of the pandemic - coverage can help people stay healthy and provide a pathway to care for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and many others that impact people’s Get Covered 2021 will focus on getting the estimated 16 million uninsured people across America eligible for financial help – through their Affordable Care Act marketplace, or free coverage through Medicaid – insurance coverage The Get Covered 2021 coalition announced that December 10th will be Get Covered America Day -- a day of action where everyone will be encouraged to keep wearing their mask and post a picture of themselves on social media, including a personal message about how friends, family and neighbors can get financial help for insurance now, sharing the website GetCovered2021.org and using the hashtag #GetCovered2021. WASHINGTON DC, SACRAMENTO, CA AND FRANKFORT, KY - Today, a broad coalition of states, consumer and patient groups, and health care providers from across the country launched Get Covered 2021, a new national initiative designed to help uninsured Americans enroll into health insurance and promote COVID-19 safe practices (see Attachment 1. Coalition Partners) As part of today’s launch, Get Covered 2021 announced tools and information available through a new website www.GetCovered2021.org, where Americans will be connected to their state or federal marketplace [...]

COBRA participants, uninsured, can seek out new, affordable health insurance starting Nov. 1 through the Massachusetts Health Connector

BOSTON – October 30, 2020 – Open Enrollment through the Massachusetts Health Connector start on Nov. 1, which means people who are currently paying for COBRA coverage or are uninsured can start looking for new, affordable health insurance starting Sunday. The Health Connector is the state-based health insurance exchange, offering commercial plans to people who do not get coverage through their employer or other sources. The Health Connector offers subsidized plans to those who are income-eligible through the ConnectorCare program, which offers lower premiums and co-pays, and no-deductibles to those enrolling in a plan. “At this time, more than ever, people need access to quality, affordable health coverage they can use,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “If you don’t have insurance, it is important to enroll in new coverage. If you are out of work and paying for COBRA coverage, you may very well find a significantly less-costly plan that meets your needs.” People who need health insurance can go to www.MAhealthconnector.org, complete an application, and immediately find out what kind of coverage for which they qualify. Applicants who qualify for ConnectorCare will see a list of qualifying plans that include important benefits, including for COVID testing and treatment. ConnectorCare premiums are priced on an income-based scale for individuals making up to $38,280, or a family of four earning up to $78,600. Premiums for some people cost nothing, while lowest-cost plans at the highest income levels are $133 per month. For people who are [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector selects 18 organizations as Navigators, with more than 100 individuals ready to provide health insurance enrollment assistance

10 Navigator agencies to provide expanded access to support during COVID-19 pandemic October 22, 2020 – Recognizing the need for expert assistance is higher than ever, the Massachusetts Health Connector has 18 community-based Navigator organizations ready to provide health insurance enrollment help to residents, including 10 with newly-expanded capacity to provide additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the 18 Navigator organizations and 100 people working as Navigators, this is the largest Navigator program in Massachusetts since its inception for 2014 Open Enrollment as part of the Affordable Care Act. Navigators traditionally provide direct, in-person assistance to residents in their communities who need help accessing Health Connector coverage. As the Health Connector enters Open Enrollment for 2021, many Navigators will be providing virtual assistance to supplement more limited in-person help due to COVID-19. “Having access to knowledgeable, experienced help is more important than ever for people who need Health Connector coverage going into 2021,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Our Navigators have substantial impact, helping thousands of Health Connector members and new applicants every year, and their services are all the more necessary amid this year’s pandemic challenge. They are here to deliver quality, affordable health coverage to the people they serve.” During Open Enrollment, anyone without health insurance can enroll into coverage for 2021. This includes people who may have lost their job and work-based health insurance in 2020 and have been without coverage. Additionally, people who may have enrolled in COBRA coverage [...]

Webinar: Recently lost health insurance from your job? Know your options.

Video Download Presentation PDF Download Presentation 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 2020. 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 2020 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 you are returning to work, include the amount that you expect to earn for the remainder of the year. The table and tips below can help you know what needs to be included or not when answering the current income question and the yearly income questions in the online [...]

Webinar: Recently lost health insurance from your job? Know your options.

Video Download Presentation PDF Download Presentation 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 2020. 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 2020 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 you are returning to work, include the amount that you expect to earn for the remainder of the year. The table and tips below can help you know what needs to be included or not when answering the current income question and the yearly income questions in the online [...]

Webinar: Recently lost health insurance from your job? Know your options.

Video Download Presentation PDF Download Presentation 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 2020. 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 2020 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 you are returning to work, include the amount that you expect to earn for the remainder of the year. The table and tips below can help you know what needs to be included or not when answering the current income question and the yearly income questions in the online [...]

Important Update & Upcoming Maintenance

The Health Connector and MassHealth application will undergo planned maintenance Friday, July 31 at 8 p.m. through Sunday, August 2 at 12 p.m. During this maintenance period, you will not be able to access the application. Please plan ahead if you are applying for the first time, or need to update an existing account. Why is this maintenance happening? The Massachusetts Health Connector and MassHealth application is moving to a new website address. Starting Sunday, August 2, 2020, our new application web address will be at https://mahix.org/individual. If you already have an account, don’t worry. Your information is not changing. You won’t have to create a new login, all of your application information will be the same, and your enrollment information will not be impacted. This move does not impact Health Connector for Business. To make this happen, the website will be unavailable July 31 at 8:00 p.m. through August 2 at 12:00 p.m. and you won’t be able to complete the following activities during this time: Apply for health coverage Update your account information Upload documents View Health Connector notices Shop for a ConnectorCare or Health Connector plan Payments to the Health Connector If you are a Health Connector member and want to pay your premium, you will be able to do so through the guest payment portal. Important If you need to complete any actions that will be unavailable during the maintenance time as we move, we kindly ask that you do so before July 31 at 8:00 p.m. or wait until the application [...]

Recently lost health insurance from your job? Know your options.

Video UPDATE: Please note that the special enrollment period due to coronavirus mentioned in the video and resources ended July 23, 2020. Find out how you can enroll any time of the year → Download Presentation PDF Download Presentation Questions & Answers Yes, the new COVID-19 SEP is independent of any other SEP, and the only restriction on the COVID-19 SEP is that the individual is not already enrolled in a Health Connector plan. This is true regardless of who paid the first portion of your COBRA coverage (you or an employer) or your length of enrollment in COBRA. Keep in mind the COVID-19 SEP is currently set to end on June 23, 2020, which is also the enrollment and payment deadline for July 1, 2020 coverage. Link to SEP Regulation: https://www.mahealthconnector.org/wp-content/uploads/rules-and-regulations/AdminBulletin04-20.pdf 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 tool tips 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 2020. Get full details at https://www.mahealthconnector.org/how-do-i-answer-questions-about-income Estimating your [...]

Get Covered throughthe Health Connector: What you need to know if you’ve recently lost health insurance benefits

Video UPDATE: Please note that the special enrollment period due to coronavirus mentioned in the video and resources ended July 23, 2020. Find out how you can enroll any time of the year → Download Presentation PDF Download Presentation Questions & Answers Yes, the new COVID-19 SEP is independent of any other SEP, and the only restriction on the COVID-19 SEP is that the individual is not already enrolled in a Health Connector plan. This is true regardless of who paid the first portion of your COBRA coverage (you or an employer) or your length of enrollment in COBRA. Keep in mind the COVID-19 SEP is currently set to end on June 23, 2020, which is also the enrollment and payment deadline for July 1, 2020 coverage. Link to SEP Regulation: https://www.mahealthconnector.org/wp-content/uploads/rules-and-regulations/AdminBulletin04-20.pdf 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 tool tips 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 2020. Get full details at https://www.mahealthconnector.org/how-do-i-answer-questions-about-income Estimating your [...]

Health Connector extends enrollment an additional month to July 23rd for uninsured individuals

On June 22, 2020, the Health Connector announced in an Administrative Bulletin an extension to the special enrollment period in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency through July 23, 2020 to assist uninsured Massachusetts residents seeking health coverage. (The extended enrollment period was previously set to end June 23.) If you need to apply for coverage, you can start by creating an application → If you apply coverage under this special enrollment, the deadlines to complete enrollment are as follows: Coverage Start Date Enrollment Deadline July 1 June 23 August 1 July 23 Please note that if you are eligible to enroll due to normal special enrollment period rules, you can select the one that applies when you complete your application. If you or family members are eligible for MassHealth programs, you can apply any time of the year. Your coverage may start sooner than the 1st of the month. If you need help, you can call customer service at 1-877-623-6765 (or TTY: 711 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled). Business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

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