Announcements

The Springfield MassHealth Enrollment Center and Health Connector Walk-in Center is moving

Due to the move, the current location at 333 Bridge Street in Springfield will be open limited hours on Thursday, September 29 and Friday, September 30, 2016. See the chart below for the hours: MassHealth Enrollment Center Thursday, September 29 Open 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Friday, September 30 Open 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Health Connector Walk-in Center Thursday, September 29 Open 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Friday, September 30 Closed . If you need while the location is closed during the move, you can call customer service or visit another help center location → We will re-open at our new location on Monday, October 3 at 9:00 a.m. Starting October 3, 2016, the new address will be: 88 Industry Avenue Springfield, MA 01104 The hours will be the same as the current location: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Getting to the new location Pioneer Valley Bus Transportation: Take Route G2-Carew-East Springfield/Belmont-Dwight Road By Car (parking is available): From the NORTH: Follow I-91 South to MassPike (I-90) East to Exit 6 (Springfield). Take left onto I-291 West. On I-291, take exit 5. At the light, turn left onto Page Boulevard. Continue on Page Boulevard for a ¼ mile, then turn right onto Robbins Road. At the traffic light, Industry Avenue is straight ahead. Continue on Industry Avenue to number 88. Parking is on the left. From the EAST: Follow MassPike (I-90) West to Exit 6 (Springfield). Take left onto I-291 West. On I-291, take exit 5. [...]

Massachusetts Health Care Law Turns 10

Since the landmark Massachusetts heath care reform law was enacted by former Governor Mitt Romney on April 12, 2006, the Commonwealth has since gained one of the highest insured rates in the nation. Over the past decade, hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents and small businesses have been able to access high-quality and affordable coverage through the Massachusetts Health Connector. PRESS RELEASE: State House Leaders Issue Statements on Ten Year Anniversary of Universal Health Care in Massachusetts Health Care Reform Timeline Health Reform is signed into law. Commonwealth Care opens enrollment for people with incomes below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level. Commonwealth Care opens for people with incomes of up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. Open enrollment begins for Commonwealth Choice. With some exceptions, Massachusetts adults must have health insurance. Any health insurance plan licensed for sale in Massachusetts qualifies at this date. All employers with 11 or more full-time-equivalent employees in Massachusetts must offer a Section 125 Plan that meets Health Connector standards. Employers who fail to do this may be charged part of the cost when an employee needs state help to pay for urgently needed medical care. Employers with 11 or more full-time-equivalent Massachusetts employees must make a “fair and reasonable” contribution toward an employee health plan or pay a state assessment of up to $295 per employee, per year. Massachusetts adults must show that they have enrolled in a health insurance plan or lose their personal income tax deduction on [...]

Reminder: The deadline to enroll in Feb. 1 coverage is Jan. 23

Due to high demand for assistance in advance of January 23 deadline for February 1 coverage, and severe winter weather impacting some Health Connector call centers, call wait times may be longer than normal. You can visit one of our six Customer Service Walk-in Centers, and you can make an online payment. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience. Need help or would like to drop off a payment in-person, visit a Walk-in Center Boston 133 Portland Street Boston, MA 02114 Open Enrollment Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday: Closed Sundays except on the following days: November 1, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (First day of Open Enrollment) January 31, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Last day of Open Enrollment) Worcester 146 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 Open Enrollment Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday: Closed Sundays except on the following days: November 1, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (First day of Open Enrollment) January 31, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Last day of Open Enrollment) NEW! Springfield 333 Bridge Street Springfield, MA 01103 Open Enrollment Hours: Monday–Friday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed NEW! Open Enrollment Walk-In Centers Locations The following walk-in center locations will be open through February 28, [...]

Announcing Extended Call Center Hours and New Walk-in Center Locations for Open Enrollment

Health Connector Customer Service will have extended call center and walk-in center hours during the 2016 Open Enrollment period from November 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016. The hours will be as follows: Health Connector Customer Service Call Center: 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765), or TTY 711 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled. Open Enrollment Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Open Enrollment Holiday Closures: November 26, 2015, Thanksgiving Day December 25, 2015, Christmas Day January 1, 2016, New Year’s Day Year-round Walk-In Centers locations Boston 133 Portland Street Boston, MA 02114 Open Enrollment Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday: Closed Sundays except on the following days: November 1, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (First day of Open Enrollment) January 31, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Last day of Open Enrollment) Open Enrollment Holiday Closures: November 26, 2015, Thanksgiving Day December 25, 2015, Christmas Day January 1, 2016, New Year’s Day Worcester 146 Main Street Worcester, MA 01608 Open Enrollment Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday: Closed Sundays except on the following days: November 1, 2015, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (First day of Open Enrollment) January 31, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Last day of Open Enrollment) Open Enrollment Holiday Closures: [...]

Infographic: Open Enrollment Preparedness and Customer Service

The Massachusetts Health Connector is committed to helping our state’s residents find the right health insurance. In preparation for the Open Enrollment period, November 1, 2015 through January 31, 2016, the Health Connector has dedicated additional resources to the customer service experience. Check out the infographic below to learn how:

Upcoming Maintenance Schedule for the week of August 24, 2015

The Health Connector online application is scheduled for planned maintenance during the week of August 24, 2015. During the following maintenance periods, you will not be able to access your application. We apologize for the inconvenience. Maintenance Start Time Maintenance End Time Monday, August 24 at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 25 at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 25 at 9:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 26 at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 26 at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, August 27 at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. Friday, August 28 at 6:30 a.m. Friday, August 28 at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, August 29 at 6:30 a.m. Please note that the above schedule is subject to change.

Navigator Program: Notice of Grant Opportunity

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers new opportunities for individuals, families and small businesses to access insurance in Massachusetts as well as new opportunities to assist them in enrolling in affordable health and dental coverage. In Massachusetts, the Health Connector serves as the ACA-compliant Marketplace offering the Commonwealth more affordable health and dental coverage options that are easy to compare. The Health Connector also administers the federally-required Navigator program, which is designed to help consumers and small businesses that are seeking health or dental coverage, understand their coverage options and access any applicable state and federal subsidies that may make their coverage more affordable. The Health Connector is pleased to announce that we are seeking applications from qualified and eligible organizations to serve as Navigators for the second year of the program. The Notice of Grant Opportunity can be found on COMMBUYS at https://www.commbuys.com/bso/. Please note the following important deadlines, which apply to all interested applicants: Required Letter of Intent due Friday, May 30, 2014 This letter should be emailed to Paul.S.Landesman@state.ma.us Completed grant application due Friday, June 13, 2014 Please share this announcement with any interested stakeholders. The Health Connector

FFRDC Technical Assistance Report: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Health Connector

The Commonwealth requested technical assistance from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), its federal partner, in evaluating the construction of the Massachusetts health care Marketplace (HIX/IES). CMS requested IT and systems engineering assistance from The MITRE Corporation (MITRE), operator of the CMS Alliance to Modernize Healthcare (CAMH) Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). MITRE has developed substantive knowledge and understanding of the Commonwealth’s systems development life cycle. MITRE has also provided technical guidance and assistance to the Commonwealth through its engagement with CMS in supporting and assessing various stages of development through gate reviews. Download the Report

A better Massachusetts Health Connector

t is the start of the new National Open Enrollment period and we would like to welcome you to the newly enhanced Massachusetts Health Connector. Because of national health reform, Massachusetts residents can now find even more options, enhanced benefits, and savings for individuals, families, and small businesses. National health reform expands health insurance programs that are already in place and working well in Massachusetts. Residents will also benefit from expanded funding for community health centers, assistance with prescription drug costs for seniors, and tax credits for small employers. From October 1 through March 31, 2014, individuals and families may be able to find out right away what programs and subsidies that make health insurance more affordable thyey may qualify for. New tools and features will be available to help make the right choices for you, your family or your small business. And now, the Health Connector offers dental plans from the state's leading carriers for individuals, families, and small businesses. During Open Enrollment, when you shop and compare dental plans, you will be able compare plans side-by-side. Just like medical plans, you will be able to read plan details so you can learn about coverage and to help you choose the right plan for you, your family, or small business. Again, welcome to the even better Health Connector.

Something to smile about: Dental plans coming October 1

Beginning October 1, 2013, the Massachusetts Health Connector will offer dental plans from the state’s leading carriers for individuals, families, and small businesses. There will be three ways to get dental coverage through the Health Connector: Stand-alone pediatric-only dental plans, which covers children through age 18. Stand-alone dental plan for families and individual adults aged 19 years and up. With a health plan that includes dental coverage. A small number of Health Connector medical plans include pediatric dental coverage. These embedded dental plans will offer the same benefits as the stand-alone pediatric-only dental plans available through the Health Connector. During Open Enrollment, when you shop and compare dental plans, you will be able compare plans side-by-side. Just like medical plans, you will be able to read plan details so you can learn about coverage and cost-sharing to help you choose the right plan for you, your family, or small business. Remember, oral care is an important part of great overall health. New dental plans are just one of the new options and benefits you’ll find at the Health Connector beginning this fall. You can shop for health and dental coverage during Open Enrollment, October 1, 2013 through March 31, 2014, for coverage beginning January 1, 2014.