Member Updates

Massachusetts Expands Access to Affordable Health Care

Exciting news: Massachusetts is making health care more affordable and accessible for thousands of people through the ConnectorCare program. The Massachusetts Health Connector Board of Directors has approved important changes to help more people get the care they need. Here's what you need to know:  Income limits for ConnectorCare have been expanded from 300% of the Federal Poverty Level to 500%. This means that more people will now qualify for this program, as the income limit for individuals increases from $43,470 in 2023 to $72,900 in 2024, and $90,000 in 2023 to $150,000 in 2024 for a family of four.   All Marketplace carriers will now participate in the program for the first time. This means that there will be more choices of plans available to choose from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and UnitedHealthcare, which will join current participating carriers Fallon Health, Health New England, Mass General Brigham Health Plan, Tufts Health Plan, and WellSense Health Plan.  These changes will be in effect beginning January 1, 2024. Current Health Connector members will be automatically enrolled in the program if they newly qualify.  The 2024 Open Enrollment period begins November 1, 2023. These changes are the largest expansion in health care affordability since the Health Connector was created in 2006. By joining ConnectorCare, you can save thousands of dollars a year in health care costs with lower or no premiums and no deductibles.  Not only that, but more residents in Massachusetts than ever before [...]

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Turning 26? What you need to know to #StayCovered

Are you turning 26 soon and still on your parent’s health insurance policy?  Did you know that you will need to take action or you may no longer have health insurance? Don’t worry, you have options! Turning 26 triggers a special enrollment period that allows you to enroll in new health insurance coverage a within 60-days of your birthday. Get coverage from your job If you have a job that offers insurance, you can enroll in that coverage as turning 26—known as aging out—is considered a qualifying life event and will enable you to enroll in job-based coverage outside of your job’s open enrollment period. Get covered through your school If you are a college student, you may be able to enroll in a student health insurance plan through your school. Find out more Apply for coverage through the Health Connector When you apply for coverage through the Health Connector, you could be eligible for subsidies to help lower the cost of health insurance. Also, depending on your household size, income, and other factors, you may be eligible for MassHealth (Medicaid) coverage. By apply for coverage through the Health Connector, you can see if you are eligible for coverage through the Health Connector or MassHealth without needing to complete a separate application. Get started now → Get help applying → Do I qualify for help paying for health insurance costs? If you’re not your parent’s tax dependent when you lose coverage you may be eligible for savings if you qualify based [...]

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Stay healthy with your new insurance

Getting health insurance is an important first step in getting and staying healthy. Follow these guidelines to make sure you are taking care of your health and your coverage. #1 – Understand your health coverage Check with your insurance plan to see what services are covered, and know whether you will need to pay out of pocket for any services. Be familiar with your costs (premiums, co-payments, deductibles, co-insurance). Know the difference between in-network and out-of-network providers. Know where and when to send payments for your monthly health insurance premium from the Health Connector. #2 – Know where to go for care Use the emergency department only for life-threatening situations. Use your doctor for preventive health or when it’s not an emergency. Did you know that because of national healthcare reform, most health plans must cover a set of preventive services like shots and screening tests at no cost to you? Find out more about preventive services for adults, women, and children at https://www.healthcare.gov/preventive-care-benefits/adults/ #3 – Find a provider Ask people you trust and/or do research on the internet. Check which providers are in your network by searching on your health plan’s website or calling your health plan’s customer service number. If you’re assigned a provider and you want to change, call your health plan. #4 – After you have an appointment with a provider Follow your provider’s instructions. Fill any prescriptions you were given, and take them as directed. Review your explanation of [...]

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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 [...]

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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! 

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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 1-877-623-7773). About the Massachusetts Health [...]

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Consumer Alert: Shop smart to avoid health insurance scams

Not all companies selling health insurance are actually selling you good coverage. Some companies may try to sign you up for a “scam plan” that doesn’t meet legal requirements or may not even be real. These plans look affordable on the surface, but they may not offer the services or benefits you need to meet state standards. They may end up leaving you with big bills if you need care. That’s why it’s important to be a smart insurance shopper. Use these tips to watch out for plans that won’t be there for you when you need them, and learn how to find a health plan you can trust. Checklist for choosing health insurance you can trust Beware of unsolicited offers of health coverage over the phone or online. Many predatory companies will call you on your phone. They may use high-pressure sales tactics and claim that they can offer you low-cost access to name-brand health plans. If you get a call from a salesperson offering you health insurance, follow these tips to protect yourself: Research a phone number or company online to check its history. Never share personal information with an unsolicited telemarketer. Know that legitimate calls from the Health Connector about your coverage will only come from 1-877-623-6765, and state that “we’re calling from the Massachusetts Health Connector.” Check with the Division of Insurance (DOI) to make sure the health plan is legitimate. You should only buy health insurance from a company that is licensed by the DOI [...]

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The right place for the right plan

If you need health insurance, the Health Connector is the right place for the right plan. If you recently lost coverage through a job or other source—or experiences other qualifying life events—you can apply for coverage any time of the year. Most people who apply for coverage through the Health Connector are eligible for savings on monthly insurance premiums. Get an estimate now and see how much you could save through the Health Connector. The Health Connector offers plans from the state’s leading insurers to individuals, families, and small businesses. Shopping for health insurance plans through the Health Connector is easy and convenient. It’s easy to compare different plans and find out what the plans will cost and what savings are available.  All of the health plans offered through the Health Connector provide comprehensive benefits, including prescription drugs and visits to the doctor or hospital. After applying for coverage and shop for plans, our online tools can help you narrow your choices based on out-of-pocket costs, such as co-pays and deductibles. You can then choose up to three health or dental plans to compare side-by-side and review the different provider networks within plans. This will help you find the plan that is right for you and your family. Let’s get covered together. Open Enrollment Period begins November 1, 2021, and ends January 23, 2022. Follow us on social media @HealthConnector to countdown Open Enrollment!

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What is the Massachusetts Health Connector?

What is the Massachusetts Health Connector? The Health Connector is a state-based health insurance Marketplace that makes shopping for affordable health and dental coverage easier for Massachusetts individuals, families, and small businesses. You can find plans from the leading health and dental insurers that have been awarded the state's Seal of Approval. This means you can be sure the plan you choose meets both state and national coverage standards. If you need health insurance, the Health Connector is the right place for the right plan We are dedicated to ensuring people who apply for coverage and shop for plans on the website have the best experience possible. Open Enrollment is the time where individuals and families can enroll for health coverage or change their current plan for any reason. If you need health insurance outside of Open Enrollment—called the Special Enrollment Period—you may qualify to enroll in coverage at any time of the year if you've experienced a qualifying life event or are eligible for certain programs like ConnectorCare or coverage through MassHealth. If you don't qualify to enroll during the Special Enrollment Period, you may have to wait until Open Enrollment to enroll in coverage. The next Open Enrollment period is November 1, 2021 through January 23, 2022.  Let's get covered together The Health Connector partners with a set of community organizations through a grant program to serve as Navigator organizations that provide FREE community-based eligibility and enrollment assistance. Contact your nearest Navigator organization if you need help applying, understanding [...]

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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 1-877-623-7773 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled). Or contact a Navigator near you.

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