Announcements

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 [...]

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 [...]

Our walk-in centers have re-opened

Have you heard? Our walk-in centers in Boston, Springfield, and Worcester have re-opened! Now our members and applicants can receive in-person assistance as Open Enrollment continues through January 23, 2022 and beyond for ongoing assistance and enrollment needs. Visitors to our newly reopened walk-in centers must adhere to face covering, social distancing, and capacity requirements to maintain health and safety to visitors and staff. Boston Walk-in Center is located at 133 Portland Street, Boston, MA 02114 Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Springfield Walk-in Center is located at 88 Industrial Avenue, Suite D, Springfield, MA 01104 Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Worcester Walk-in Center is located at 146 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608 Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you need health insurance, or are already a Health Connector members and you need to update your account or pick a new plan for 2022, please visit www.MAhealthconnector.org to apply and enroll in a plan. If you need assistance, you can visit a walk-in center, find a local Navigator or Certified Enrollment Counselor through the website, or call the Health Connector at 1-877-MA-ENROLL (TTY 1-877- 623-7773). Let’s get covered together. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @HealthConnector to countdown Open Enrollment!

Massachusetts Health Connector walk-in center in Worcester reopens to the public today

January 10, 2022 – The Massachusetts Health Connector has reopened its public walk-in center in Worcester, providing the option to members and applicants to receive in-person assistance as Open Enrollment continues through Jan. 23, and beyond for ongoing assistance and enrollment needs. The full-service walk-in center provides assistance to members regarding their coverage and assisting applicants completing their application and enrollment process. Members may also make their premium payments at the walk-in center in the form of check or money order. “Many of our members appreciate the in-person support offered by our walk-in centers, and reopening during Open Enrollment is a priority for the Health Connector,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Members in Worcester can access quality, in-person help, through Open Enrollment and beyond.” The Health Connector closed its walk-in centers in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors to the reopened walk-in center must adhere to mask and capacity requirements to maintain health and safety to visitors and staff. The Worcester walk-in center is located at 146 Main St., in downtown Worcester, and is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. People who need health insurance, or members who need to update their accounts or pick a new plan for 2022 can visit www.MAhealthconnector.org to apply and enroll in a plan. Those who need assistance can visit a walk-in center, find a local Navigator or Certified Enrollment Counselor through the website, or call the Health Connector at 877-MA-ENROLL (TTY 711). About the Massachusetts Health [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector walk-in center in Springfield reopens to public on Dec. 15

December 15, 2021 – The Massachusetts Health Connector is reopening its public walk-in center in Springfield today, providing the option to members and applicants to receive in-person assistance as Open Enrollment continues through January 23, 2022, and beyond for ongoing assistance and enrollment needs. The full-service walk-in center will provide assistance to members regarding their coverage and assisting applicants completing their application and enrollment process. Members may also make their premium payments at the walk-in center in the form of check or money order. “Many of our members appreciate the in-person support offered by our walk-in centers, and reopening during Open Enrollment is a priority for the Health Connector,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Members in Springfield can access quality, in-person help starting this week, through Open Enrollment and beyond.” The Health Connector closed its walk-in centers in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors to the newly reopened walk-in center must adhere to mask and capacity requirements to maintain health and safety to visitors and staff. The Springfield walk-in center is located at the MassHealth Enrollment Center at 88 Industrial Ave., and is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. People who need health insurance, or members who need to update their accounts or pick a new plan for 2022 can visit www.MAhealthconnector.org to apply and enroll in a plan. Those who need assistance can visit a walk-in center, find a local Navigator or Certified Enrollment Counselor through the website, or call the Health [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector walk-in center in Boston reopens to public on Dec. 13

December 13, 2021 – The Massachusetts Health Connector is reopening its public walk-in center in Boston today, providing the option to members and applicants to receive in-person assistance as Open Enrollment continues through January 23, 2022, and beyond for ongoing assistance and enrollment needs. The full-service walk-in center will provide assistance to members regarding their coverage and assisting applicants completing their application and enrollment process. Members may also make their premium payments at the walk-in center in the form of check or money order. “Many of our members appreciate the in-person support offered by our walk-in centers, and reopening during Open Enrollment is a priority for the Health Connector,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Members in Boston can access quality, in-person help starting this week, through Open Enrollment and beyond.” The Health Connector closed its walk-in centers in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors to the newly reopened walk-in center must adhere to mask and capacity requirements to maintain health and safety to visitors and staff. The Boston walk-in center is located at 133 Portland St., within walking distance of Haymarket buses, all MBTA subway lines, and North Station Commuter Rail, and is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Further walk-in center openings in Springfield and Worcester will be announced in coming days. People who need health insurance, or members who need to update their accounts or pick a new plan for 2022 can visit www.MAhealthconnector.org to apply and enroll in a plan. [...]

Open Enrollment Begins at the Massachusetts Health Connector – Increase in Financial Support for 2022 Coverage

Nov. 1, 2021 – Open Enrollment for 2022 health insurance begins today at the Massachusetts Health Connector, with more opportunities for enrollees to find financial assistance with their monthly premiums. Open Enrollment runs through Jan. 23, 2022, with a deadline to apply, pick a plan, and make a first premium payment by Dec. 23, for coverage to begin Jan. 1, 2022. Open Enrollment is the time when individuals without health insurance can find coverage through the Health Connector without a qualifying reason. “Access to affordable health care for individuals and families in Massachusetts is vital,” said Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health and Human Services and Chair of the Health Connector’s Board of Directors. “Massachusetts has the highest insured rate in the nation, and Open Enrollment offers individuals the opportunity to apply and choose a coverage plan that meets their needs and provides security for their health and wellbeing.” “There has not been a more important time to obtain coverage through the Health Connector than now,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “There is more assistance than ever available to help pay for coverage, and more individuals are eligible for assistance to lower the cost of health coverage than ever before.” Through the federal American Rescue Plan, millions of dollars in new federal assistance are available to Massachusetts residents to lower the cost of their health insurance premiums. The ConnectorCare program offers lower-income members premium assistance – including $0 premiums for some– with low or no [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector Offers Plans with No Premiums to Residents on Unemployment in 2021

August 19, 2021 –Massachusetts residents who have received unemployment compensation at any point in 2021 are eligible for a health insurance plan through the Massachusetts Health Connector with no premium payments through the end of the year, regardless of their income. The availability of plans without premiums for people who’ve been on unemployment benefits at any point in 2021 is part of the federal American Rescue Plan, and makes available commercial health insurance plans that deliver quality benefits. Along with no premium payments, the plans for people who’ve been on unemployment have no deductible, and very affordable co-pays. “The Health Connector is pleased to be able to offer zero-dollar premium, high-quality coverage to Massachusetts residents who have experienced lost employment and income this year due to COVID-19,” said Audrey Gasteier, the Chief of Strategy and Policy at the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Residents who do not have health insurance and who have been on unemployment at any point this year can have the peace of mind of being covered, and not have to worry about making monthly premium payments for the rest of the year.” The plans are available to people who received unemployment for at least one week at any point in 2021 – even if they are no longer receiving checks right now. These plans are part of the Health Connector’s ConnectorCare program, which uses state and federal subsidies to make health insurance more affordable to low- and moderate-income residents. Along with the no-premium plans for people who are [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector and member carriers agree to carry over out-of-pocket costs for mid-year moves to access new lower premiums on-exchange

Agreement allows carrier members to access to lower Health Connector premiums as a result of the American Rescue Plan without resetting deductibles in 2021 May 20, 2021 – All nine health insurance carriers who participate in the Massachusetts Health Connector have agreed to let their off-exchange members move from an off-exchange plan to an exchange-based plan mid-year without losing spent out-of-pocket costs in 2021. This flexibility can help Massachusetts residents access new lower-cost plans through the Health Connector. The federal American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law in March 2021, creates new premium subsidies for many people who earn more than 400 percent of the federal poverty level (about $51,000), creating lower premiums for plans available through the Health Connector. Someone who currently buys their plan directly through the carrier can seek out the new premium help available only through the Health Connector. If they purchase a plan with the same carrier, the money they have spent on their deductible and other out-of-pocket costs will be credited for money spent so far this year. The Health Connector recently completed a redetermination of more than 11,000 current members who were not receiving subsidy previously. A majority of those people are now eligible for help paying for their health insurance, with average monthly premiums for those eligible dropping 27 percent thanks to savings of $217 per month – or $2,600 a year. “This agreement to carry over out-of-pocket costs for people moving into Health Connector plans will allow thousands of Massachusetts [...]

New Information from the IRS on Tax Relief for People who Received help paying for premium costs through the Health Connector in 2020

Were you were enrolled in coverage through the Health Connector in 2020 and received advance payments of the premium tax credit to help lower the cost of your health insurance premium? If so, the American Rescue Plan—signed into law on March 11, 2021—provides tax relief for people who received more premium tax credits in 2020 than they qualified for and would normally have to pay back when filing their 2020 tax return. For 2020 only, these excess tax credits do not need to be repaid. This relief may affect how you complete your 2020 tax return, which is due May 17, 2021. On April 9, 2021, the IRS released new information explaining how consumers can receive this tax relief, including if they have already filed their tax return or still need to file. If you have any questions about this tax relief, You can find this new information on the IRS website now. If you have questions about your Health Connector coverage, call customer service at 1-877-623-6765 (TTY 711 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled). Or contact a Navigator near you.