Press Release - Massachusetts Health Connector

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 [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector to Provide New, Additional Financial Help for Health Insurance Premiums

Extended enrollment to run through July 23 to maximize opportunity for residents to gain access to new premium support March 23, 2021 – The Massachusetts Health Connector will be able to provide hundreds of thousands of people with new and increased help paying for their health insurance premiums as a result of the recently enacted American Rescue Plan, starting for May coverage. The new law will make federal premium subsidies, known as Advance Premium Tax Credits, more generous in two ways: It will increase them for many of the Massachusetts residents who already receive them, and it will make federal premium subsidies available to more people who have never qualified before. Most of the Health Connector’s 270,000 current members, along with new enrollees, will experience lower health premiums for 2021 and 2022 under the new law. Current members who are in ConnectorCare or who receive Advance Premium Tax Credits to reduce their premiums will see even lower premiums starting with their May premium payment. Many other people, both Health Connector members and those who don’t currently purchase through the Health Connector, who previously did not get help paying their premiums will become newly eligible for subsidies and can start to access lower premiums during May, for June coverage. “The changes created by the American Rescue Plan represent the most significant expansion of financial assistance since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Massachusetts residents will get more help [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector extends Open Enrollment through May 23 for anyone to get health insurance

February 3, 2021 – The Massachusetts Health Connector announced today a further extension of its Open Enrollment through May 23, providing residents impacted by COVID-19 the opportunity to get access to affordable, comprehensive health insurance. The Health Connector previously announced an extension of Open Enrollment through March 23, two additional months beyond the original Jan. 23 deadline. Open Enrollment started Nov. 1, and the new deadline of May 23 aligns the Massachusetts health insurance exchange with the new open enrollment period for the federal exchange platform, healthcare.gov, which reopens Feb. 15 and remains open through May 15, and will be accompanied by a national marketing and awareness campaign. Many people need help applying for coverage or picking plan, and the Health Connector has 18 Navigator organizations available around the state, many with newly added capacity – including evening and weekend hours – to help those with questions. People who need help can find a local Navigator at www.MAhealthconnector.org/navigators. Tens of thousands of Health Connector members applicants are staying covered or getting covered during Open Enrollment, and people are encouraged to reach out to a Navigator as soon as possible to get the support needed to get coverage. About the Massachusetts Health Connector The Massachusetts Health Connector is the Commonwealth’s health insurance exchange, and currently serves more than 300,000 individuals and small-employer members with health and dental insurance. Massachusetts residents who do not have health insurance from an employer or other entity can use the exchange to gain coverage. Through the ConnectorCare [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector continues Open Enrollment through March 23

January 22, 2021 – The Massachusetts Health Connector announced today it is continuing Open Enrollment until March 23, providing additional time for state residents to access affordable, quality health insurance, particularly those hurt by the economic impacts of COVID-19. With Open Enrollment ongoing, Massachusetts residents who do not have health insurance have a new opportunity to get coverage through the Health Connector. This includes commercial plans through the ConnectorCare program, which provides help paying monthly premiums, and also offers low co-pays and no deductibles. “Having health insurance means having the peace of mind that if sick or injured, access to health care and services is readily available,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Hopefully those who don’t have coverage can take advantage of this opportunity to enroll and enjoy that peace of mind that comes with being insured.” Along with people who do not have health insurance, people who are currently in COBRA coverage after losing their jobs can switch to a Health Connector plan during this period. For people who are current paying full premiums for COBRA plans, qualifying for ConnectorCare would represent significant savings. It is likely that for COBRA participants could also find lower-cost plans available without subsidy. Many people need help applying for coverage or picking plan, and the Health Connector has 18 Navigator organizations available around the state, many with newly added capacity – including evening and weekend hours – to help those with questions. People who need help can [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector remains open to new enrollments through Jan. 23

Deadline for New Year coverage is Dec. 23, beyond federal end date of Dec. 15 December 14, 2020 – The Massachusetts Health Connector, which provides affordable commercial health insurance to more than 275,000 people, remains open to new enrollments through Jan. 23, with a deadline of Dec. 23 for anyone who needs coverage to start the New Year. Those deadlines are beyond the federal Open Enrollment deadline. The federal government’s healthcare.gov closes to new coverage on Dec. 15. In order to ensure everyone who needs coverage has the opportunity to sign up, the Health Connector maintains deadlines that extend beyond the federal government timing. “Having health insurance is always vital to ensure people’s physical and financial health, but more than ever, having coverage is necessary as we try to keep people safe from COVID-19 and deliver COVID-19 testing and treatment benefits to Massachusetts residents,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “We encourage everyone to get covered and stay covered – that means having health insurance and wearing a mask and staying socially distant.” The Health Connector is the state-based health insurance exchange for Massachusetts, offering affordable commercial plans to people who do not get coverage through their employer or other sources. The Health Connector offers subsidized plans to those who are income-eligible through the ConnectorCare program, which offers lower premiums and co-pays, and no-deductibles to those enrolling in a plan. Most people who shop through the Health Connector qualify for subsidies to help make coverage [...]

National Coalition Launches “Get Covered 2021” Urging America To Mask Up and Get Insured—Focus on COVID And Coverage For 16 Million Americans Eligible for Financial Help Now

“Get Covered” is a call to wear a mask to prevent the spread of COVID as well as a public statement that you want your family and friends to get health insurance. COVID underscores why insurance matters - but not just because of the pandemic - coverage can help people stay healthy and provide a pathway to care for diseases like cancer, diabetes, and many others that impact people’s Get Covered 2021 will focus on getting the estimated 16 million uninsured people across America eligible for financial help – through their Affordable Care Act marketplace, or free coverage through Medicaid – insurance coverage The Get Covered 2021 coalition announced that December 10th will be Get Covered America Day -- a day of action where everyone will be encouraged to keep wearing their mask and post a picture of themselves on social media, including a personal message about how friends, family and neighbors can get financial help for insurance now, sharing the website GetCovered2021.org and using the hashtag #GetCovered2021. WASHINGTON DC, SACRAMENTO, CA AND FRANKFORT, KY - Today, a broad coalition of states, consumer and patient groups, and health care providers from across the country launched Get Covered 2021, a new national initiative designed to help uninsured Americans enroll into health insurance and promote COVID-19 safe practices (see Attachment 1. Coalition Partners) As part of today’s launch, Get Covered 2021 announced tools and information available through a new website www.GetCovered2021.org, where Americans will be connected to their state or federal marketplace [...]

COBRA participants, uninsured, can seek out new, affordable health insurance starting Nov. 1 through the Massachusetts Health Connector

BOSTON – October 30, 2020 – Open Enrollment through the Massachusetts Health Connector start on Nov. 1, which means people who are currently paying for COBRA coverage or are uninsured can start looking for new, affordable health insurance starting Sunday. The Health Connector is the state-based health insurance exchange, offering commercial plans to people who do not get coverage through their employer or other sources. The Health Connector offers subsidized plans to those who are income-eligible through the ConnectorCare program, which offers lower premiums and co-pays, and no-deductibles to those enrolling in a plan. “At this time, more than ever, people need access to quality, affordable health coverage they can use,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “If you don’t have insurance, it is important to enroll in new coverage. If you are out of work and paying for COBRA coverage, you may very well find a significantly less-costly plan that meets your needs.” People who need health insurance can go to www.MAhealthconnector.org, complete an application, and immediately find out what kind of coverage for which they qualify. Applicants who qualify for ConnectorCare will see a list of qualifying plans that include important benefits, including for COVID testing and treatment. ConnectorCare premiums are priced on an income-based scale for individuals making up to $38,280, or a family of four earning up to $78,600. Premiums for some people cost nothing, while lowest-cost plans at the highest income levels are $133 per month. For people who are [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector selects 18 organizations as Navigators, with more than 100 individuals ready to provide health insurance enrollment assistance

10 Navigator agencies to provide expanded access to support during COVID-19 pandemic October 22, 2020 – Recognizing the need for expert assistance is higher than ever, the Massachusetts Health Connector has 18 community-based Navigator organizations ready to provide health insurance enrollment help to residents, including 10 with newly-expanded capacity to provide additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the 18 Navigator organizations and 100 people working as Navigators, this is the largest Navigator program in Massachusetts since its inception for 2014 Open Enrollment as part of the Affordable Care Act. Navigators traditionally provide direct, in-person assistance to residents in their communities who need help accessing Health Connector coverage. As the Health Connector enters Open Enrollment for 2021, many Navigators will be providing virtual assistance to supplement more limited in-person help due to COVID-19. “Having access to knowledgeable, experienced help is more important than ever for people who need Health Connector coverage going into 2021,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Our Navigators have substantial impact, helping thousands of Health Connector members and new applicants every year, and their services are all the more necessary amid this year’s pandemic challenge. They are here to deliver quality, affordable health coverage to the people they serve.” During Open Enrollment, anyone without health insurance can enroll into coverage for 2021. This includes people who may have lost their job and work-based health insurance in 2020 and have been without coverage. Additionally, people who may have enrolled in COBRA [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector continues extended enrollment as nearly 45,000 people enroll in new plans, update current coverage

April 28, 2020 – The Massachusetts Health Connector continues to help people who need health insurance after losing coverage or income due to the coronavirus, with a May 23 deadline ahead for June 1 coverage. In order to help residents who lose their employer-sponsored coverage during the economic crisis created by the coronavirus, the Health Connector has created an extended enrollment period through May 25, so that anyone who needs health insurance can come to the exchange and get into coverage. Additionally, current Health Connector members are encouraged to update their income information if they lost their jobs or working hours have changed, to ensure they are in the plan that provides appropriate financial help paying for their coverage. Since the start of March, nearly 45,000 people have enrolled in a new coverage or updated their coverage. More than 12,000 people have reported a change in income and have moved to a new Health Connector plan type. An additional 11,600 Health Connector members have updated their information and are now in MassHealth coverage. Since the start of March, more than 20,000 new enrollments have come to the Health Connector for April or May coverage. “The economic impact of the coronavirus has extended to thousands of Massachusetts residents, and we all want to minimize the harm it has done to health coverage for people who have lost their job or lost hours at work,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Massachusetts has worked over the years [...]

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 [...]