Announcements

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.

Health Connector extends enrollment to June 23rd for uninsured individuals

On May 21, 2020, the Health Connector announced in an Administrative Bulletin an extension to the extended enrollment period in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency through June 23, 2020 to assist uninsured Massachusetts residents seeking health coverage. (The extended enrollment period was previously set to end May 25.) 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 June 1 May 23 July 1 June 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.

Massachusetts Health Connector extends enrollment an additional 30 days for uninsured individuals

On March 11, 2020, the Health Connector previously announced an extended, 45-day enrollment period through April 25 to assist uninsured Massachusetts residents seeking health coverage. The special enrollment period has now been extended an additional 30 days to May 25, 2020. 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 May 1 April 23 June 1 May 23 July 1 May 25 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.

Important Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and reminders

During this important time, we want to let you know that we are making every effort to make sure there will be no interruption in service for our members on account of the current coronavirus health crisis. All actions that members need to complete to maintain coverage are still available—such as making payments, sending documents, and updating account information. However, to protect people’s safety, our walk-in centers are closed until further notice. Our call center will stay open, but it may be operating with longer wait times as we work to help members. We’re asking all members to use our online resources as much as possible in the coming days to reduce exposure to other people in Massachusetts and help us keep our call center services as available to as many people as possible. Online resources for members How to pay online or by mail Upload documents online Update account information online Please update your information if your income has dropped We know that many people might not be able to work the same number of hours or make as much money as they normally do because their work is affected by changes related to the coronavirus. For this reason, it’s very important for Health Connector members to update their account information if they find their income has changed. If you are making less money than usual, you may be able to qualify for lower-cost health insurance. Learn how to update your income information online now → If you know anyone who [...]

Health Connector Walk-in Centers Closed Due to Coronavirus Concerns

UPDATE, January 10, 2022: The Worcester Walk-in Center has now reopened. Help at the walk-in center is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that face coverings are required at all times while in the buildings. Please also follow social distancing signage. UPDATE, December 13, 2021: The Boston and Springfield Walk-in Centers have reopened. Help at the walk-in center is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Boston and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Springfield. Please note that face coverings are required at all times while in the buildings. Please also follow social distancing signage. Summary: The Boston and Springfield walk-in centers have reopened as of December 13, 2021 Walk-in centers in Brockton and Worcester will remain closed until further notice If you need help signing up for coverage, call customer service at 1-877-623-6765 (TTY 711 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled.) In-person payments will not be accepted at any closed walk-in location until further notice. You can sign into your account to make a payment or to mail a check or money order to the address included in your invoice. Massachusetts Health Connector walk-in centers in Brockton, Springfield, an Worcester are closed until further notice due to concerns about the coronavirus. We have taken this action with the health and safety of our members and employees as our top priority. If you need assistance with [...]

Important information about coverage for coronavirus (COVID-19)

Insurers in Massachusetts, including those that offer health plans through the Health Connector, are now required to cover the cost of testing and treatment for members who may be affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19). The Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI) has asked health insurance companies to take several steps to help protect people in Massachusetts against coronavirus, including the following: Set up telephone helplines to answer questions about coronavirus Make telehealth services more available and at a lower cost to members. This is so members can be seen and treated by a doctor without having to go into an office whenever possible Remove coronavirus testing and treatment costs (like co-pays) when medically needed More information Contact your health insurance company if you have specific questions about your benefits Learn more about the coronavirus from the Centers from Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Learn more about the DOI guidelines for health insurers in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Health Connector offers extended enrollment for uninsured individuals to ease coronavirus fears

On March 30, the special enrollment deadline was extended an additional month to May 25, 2020. Learn more → BOSTON – March 11, 2020 – To ensure everyone who wants access to covered coronavirus services has it, the Massachusetts Health Connector announced today that uninsured residents can apply and get into coverage through a 45-day window running until April 25. On March 6, the Division of Insurance announced that Massachusetts health insurers are now required to cover the cost of testing and treatment for members who may be affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19), including not charging co-pays or deductibles for those services. The Health Connector’s decision to open enrollment to anyone without coverage ensures Massachusetts residents concerned about contracting coronavirus can access necessary services without cost barriers. Additionally, the Health Connector will be delivering to current members information about the Division of Insurance guidance, reassuring members that coronavirus-related services are available at no cost. “The coronavirus represents a significant and growing public health threat, and the Massachusetts Health Connector is committed to making sure residents have access to testing, treatment and other related services as necessary,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “With 97 percent of residents covered, almost everyone in Massachusetts understands the ongoing value and need for coverage, but if anyone is considering signing up now, we encourage them to do.” Typically, the only time of year anyone can newly access coverage is during Open Enrollment, which runs from November through January. However, because of [...]

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. By [...]