Member Updates

The deadline to enroll in plans that start March 1, 2015 is extended to February 23

Due to recent severe weather, the deadline to apply, shop, and pay your first premium for March 1, 2015 coverage has been extended to February 23. The federal Open Enrollment period ends Sunday, February 15, 2015. However, because the recent series of snowstorms caused some closures in our call and walk-in centers and longer wait times for consumers looking for help, the Baker-Polito Administration, along with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has approved an extension for Massachusetts residents. Related: Read the February 13, 2015 Press Release What does this mean for you? If you have not yet completed your application or selected a plan, this means that you have an extra week to apply, pick a plan, and make a payment to complete your enrollment in a plan that starts March 1, 2015. If you or your family members are eligible for MassHealth, your coverage will start right away. The payment deadline for coverage that starts March 1 has not changed. Applicants still must also make their first premium payment no later than Feb. 23, 2015 to complete their enrollment in a plan that starts March 1. Because members who apply and pick a plan by the 23rd will not receive their first bill by the payment due date, you can find out how to make a payment without a bill in-hand on our “How to Pay” page. You have the option to Pay online, In-person, or By mail. If you need help applying [...]

Open Enrollment ends February 15! Apply now for new health coverage

Important Update: Due to recent severe weather, the deadline to apply, shop, and pay your first premium for March 1, 2015 coverage has been extended to February 23. Find out what this means for you → Open Enrollment ends February 15, 2015. If you have not started your application, don't delay! If you qualify for insurance through the Health Connector, you will need to apply, shop for plans, and check out by February 15 for coverage that starts March 1. Your first premium payment is due by February 23 to complete enrollment. If you qualify for MassHealth your coverage starts right away. Don’t wait to start your application, especially if you think you will need help! Our call center and in-person Customer Service Representatives expect to be very busy as the February 15 deadline approaches. Apply and shop now to avoid any delays in getting your new health insurance. You can apply for coverage through MassHealth or the Health Connector (first visit the the "Getting Started Guide".) There are several ways to get help: Online Help Read our Getting Started Guide for information about applying and enrolling in a plan including step-by-step instructions. In-Person with an Enrollment Assister For free, in-person help, you make an appointment with a Navigator or Certified Application Counselor. These are people who have been trained to answer questions and help with applications. Click here to find Navigators and Certified Application Counselors nearby. In-Person at a Health Connector or MassHealth Walk-In Center You can [...]

Winter Storm Alert: Health Connector Walk-in Centers Closed; Reduced Call Center Hours February 9 and 10, 2015

Due to the winter storm on Monday, February 9 and Tuesday, February 10, 2015: The Health Connector Customer Service call center at 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765) will be available 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday, February 9 and Tuesday, February 10 for application and payment assistance. Members who need assistance with account changes or dental plans will need to call back starting 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11 when the Health Connector Customer Service resumes full operations. The Health Connector walk-in center in Boston will be closed Monday, February 9 and Tuesday, February 10, 2015. However, the Worcester walk-in is open Tuesday, February 10 from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. For members who need in-person assistance or wish to make a payment in-person, the Health Connector is planning to have fully-staffed walk-in centers starting again on Wednesday, February 11, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. The MassHealth Customer Service call center at 1-800-841-2900 will be closed Monday, February 9 and Tuesday, February 10. The MassHealth call center is planning to resume full operations on Wednesday, February 11, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Follow the Health Connector on social media for any breaking updates: Facebook Twitter Last Updated: 2/9/15 at 10:00 p.m.

Winter Storm Alert: Health Connector Walk-in Centers Closed; Payment Deadline Extended

Due to the winter storm on Tuesday, January 26 and state of emergency: The Risk Adjustment Public Hearing scheduled for Wednesday, January 28 at 10:00 at One Ashburton Place, 21st Floor Conference Room will be rescheduled. The Health Connector Customer Service call center at 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765) will be available Tuesday, January 27 and Wednesday, January 28 , from 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m. for application and paymentassistance. Members who need assistance with account changes or dental plans will need to call back starting 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 29 when the Health Connector Customer Service resumes full operations. The Health Connector walk-in centers in Boston and Worcester will be closed Tuesday, January 27 and Wednesday, January 28. For members who need in-person assistance or wish to make a payment in-person, the Health Connector will have fully-staffed walk-in centers starting again on Thursday, January 29, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.. IMPORTANT: Because of Health Connector walk-in center closings and limited customer service hours due to the winter storm, the payment deadline for coverage that starts Feb. 1 is now extended through Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. You can pay online here, or make a payment by mail. Find out how → The MassHealth Customer Service call center at 1-800-841-2900 will be closed Tuesday, January 27 and Wednesday, January 28. The MassHealth call center is planning to resume full operations on Thursday, January 29. Follow the Health Connector us on social media for any breaking updates: Facebook Twitter Last [...]

The deadline to select a plan that starts Feb. 1, 2015 has passed

The deadline to select a plan that starts Feb. 1, 2015 has passed. Unless you are eligible for MassHealth coverage, only March 1, 2015 coverage options are now available. If you have already checked out a plan for Feb. 1, but still need to pay, you have through Friday, January 30, 2015 to do so. If you have not yet picked a plan or checked out, the earliest coverage start date is March 1, 2015 and you will need to pick a plan by Feb. 15, 2015 and pay for it by Feb. 23, 2015 to complete your enrollment. If you receive temporary MassHealth coverage with an end date of February 15, 2015, if you take action and complete enrollment for March 1 coverage by February 15, you will be protected through the end of the month and will not have a gap in coverage. Making a Payment? To make a payment, please visit the “How to Pay” page for options to pay Online By mail Through your bank’s online bill payment system, or In-person. Your payment must be received by received by midnight on Friday, January 30, 2015 for February 1, 2015 coverage. Due to the time it takes to process payments, people who mail a check between now and the January 30 deadline may receive their health or dental plan ID card a few days after February 1, but their coverage will be in place for the start of the month. Applying for Coverage? Go to our "Getting [...]

Don’t delay! Apply now for new health coverage

January 28, 2015 (extended deadline) is the last day to apply, shop, and pay for a new plan through the Health Connector. If you enroll by this date, your health coverage will start on February 1. Don’t wait to start your application, especially if you think you will need help! Our call center and in-person Customer Service Representatives expect to be very busy as the January 23rd deadline approaches. Apply and shop now to avoid any delays in getting your new health insurance. You can apply for coverage through MassHealth or the Health Connector (first visit the the "Getting Started Guide".) If you qualify for MassHealth your coverage starts right away. There are several ways to get help: Online Help Read our Getting Started Guide for information about applying and enrolling in a plan including step-by-step instructions. In-Person with an Enrollment Assister For free, in-person help, you make an appointment with a Navigator or Certified Application Counselor. These are people who have been trained to answer questions and help with applications. Click here to find Navigators and Certified Application Counselors nearby. In-Person at a Health Connector or MassHealth Walk-In Center You can also get in-person help at one of the following Health Connector walk-in centers (no appointment needed): Boston: 133 Portland Street, 1st Floor Worcester: 146 Main Street, Suite 201/202 You can also get help at one of the following MassHealth Enrollment Centers (no appointment needed): Chelsea: 45-47 Spruce Street Tewksbury: 367 East Street Taunton: 21 Spring Street, Suite [...]

The deadline to select a plan that starts Jan. 1, 2015 has passed

The deadline to select a plan that starts Jan. 1, 2015 has passed. Unless you are eligible for MassHealth coverage, only Feb. 1, 2015 coverage options are now available. If you have already checked out a plan for Jan. 1, but still need to pay. You have through Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014 to do so. If you have not yet picked a plan or checked out, the earliest coverage start date is Feb. 1, 2015 and you will need to pick a plan and pay by Jan. 23, 2015 to complete your enrollment. If you receive temporary MassHealth coverage with an end date of January 15, 2015, if you take action and complete enrollment for Feb. 1 coverage by January 15, you will be protected through the end of the month and will not have a gap in coverage. If you are a Commonwealth Care or former Medical Security Program (MSP) member, then your coverage end date is Jan. 31, 2015, and you will need to re-apply and complete enrollment for Feb. 1 coverage by January 23. Making a Payment? To make a payment, please visit the “How to Pay” page for options to pay Online By mail Through your bank’s online bill payment system, or In-person. Your payment must be received by received by midnight on Sunday, December 28, 2014 for January 1, 2015 coverage. Due to the time it takes to process payments, people who mail a check between now and the December 28 deadline [...]

Important Update Regarding New Rules for Victims of Domestic Violence

In general, people who are married can only qualify for a premium tax credit if they file a joint tax return with their spouse. However, these rules have recently changed for anyone who is the victim of domestic violence. If you are the victim of domestic violence, filing a tax return separately from a spouse will no longer prevent you from being able get help paying for coverage through premium tax credits. Because this rule was recently announced, the Health Connector will have a special enrollment period from April 1, 2014, to May 31, 2014, for anyone that this situation applies to. The special enrollment period allows victims of domestic violence to apply for and enroll in health insurance outside of the recently closed open enrollment period. If you are a victim of domestic violence who did not apply for coverage through the Health Connector during open enrollment: Go to MAhealthconnector.org and fill out a new application When asked for information about how you plan to file next year’s federal income tax return, indicate that you will file as single/unmarried Do not include your spouse on the application and do not include your spouse’s income when answering questions about the household income You may also be asked to confirm that you are applying for coverage outside of the open enrollment period because the special enrollment related to domestic violence applies to you If you are a victim of domestic violence who: Is currently enrolled in a Health Connector Plan without help paying for coverage, or Tried [...]

Are you losing your employer-sponsored health insurance?

If you are losing your health insurance from your employer, you have options to consider as you pursue finding new coverage. If you can access coverage through your spouse or through a government-sponsored program, those are options you should research and consider. If those options are not available to you, the Massachusetts Health Connector can help you access health insurance. For those who meet eligibility standards, the Health Connector provides people with help paying for their health insurance and also provides a wide range of plans to those who qualify for help paying for their health insurance. Your anticipated annual income is the main factor in determining whether or not you qualify for help paying for your insurance. The Federal Poverty Level, or FPL, is a measure of income level published each year by the Department of Health and Human Services. Federal poverty levels are used to help determine your eligibility for certain programs and benefits. The 2022 Income Standards and Federal Poverty Levels are used to determine who may be currently eligible for MassHealth programs The standards will be updated in early 2023 for the current year. The 2022 Federal Poverty Levels are used to determine who may be eligible for Health Connector or ConnectorCare plans during the current 2023 plan year that ends December 31, 2023. FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES 2022 MassHealth Income Standards and Federal Poverty Guidelines Family Size MassHealth Income Standards 100% Federal Poverty Level 130% Federal Poverty Level 133% Federal Poverty Level 150% Federal Poverty [...]

Important update for people who applied for insurance coverage without help paying for costs during open enrollment

The current open enrollment period closed on March 31. However, if you tried to apply through the Health Connector during open enrollment for health insurance without help paying for costs, but were unable to complete enrollment because of IT systems issues (such as website errors), you will now have until April 15 to enroll in a plan. Because of IT system issues, not everyone who tried to apply for health insurance has been able to complete the process. Trouble with completing enrollment will now be considered a qualifying event that allows you to shop through the Health Connector after open enrollment has ended during this limited time only (April 1–April 15). If this situation applies to you, you will need to pick a plan by April 15 that starts either May 1 or June 1, and pay the first premium by its due date in order to be enrolled. You will need to confirm that you tried to apply online or over the phone during the open enrollment period, but were not successful in doing so. In general, the open enrollment period is the only time of year when people who are applying for coverage without help paying for costs can enroll or change a plan for any reason. However, when a person experiences a qualifying event such as birth of a child, marriage, or loss of insurance through a job, the Health Connector allows that person to enroll in health insurance outside of open enrollment. Applications can be completed [...]