Publications

Massachusetts Health Connector 2021 Open Enrollment Period: Final Enrollment Results

June 2022—In 2021, the passage of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and its significant advancement of affordable health care induced the Health Connector to extend its Open Enrollment (OE) period. Typically, OE is from November 1 through January 23, but in 2021 was extended until July 23 to allow uninsured residents ample opportunity to access ARP-enhanced subsidies, including more robust Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) and special benefits for members reporting unemployment income. The Health Connector enrolled 87,000 new members in Exchange coverage over the course of the 2021 OE period.

Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “Affordability of Employer Coverage for Family Members of Employees”

The Massachusetts Health Connector has submitted a comment letter in support of the proposed rule addressing the affordability of employer-sponsored family coverage. The letter strongly endorses including family coverage costs in affordability assessments, aligning with the ACA's goals of ensuring meaningful access to affordable health care.

Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2023”

The Massachusetts Health Connector submitted feedback on the proposed 2023 NBPP rule, raising concerns about the State Exchange Improper Payment Measurement program due to its potential burden on state flexibility and innovation. The letter advocates for maintaining flexibility in actuarial value variations to preserve affordable plan options for consumers.

Data on the Massachusetts Individual Mandate: State Coverage Gains Under the Affordable Care Act

August 2021 —Through affordable premiums and cost sharing, the Health Connector’s ConnectorCare program promotes access to care and reduced cost burdens for approximately 193,000 low-to-moderate income Massachusetts residents. As the state Marketplace’s flagship health insurance subsidy program, ConnectorCare offers the Commonwealth’s families comprehensive and high-quality health plan options with affordable premiums and point of care cost sharing.

Health Care Sharing Ministries Reporting to the Massachusetts Health Connector in 2020 and 2021

September 2021 —A summary of information reported to the Health Connector by health arrangements provided by an established religious organization seeking minimum creditable coverage status for 2020 and 2021.

Massachusetts Cost Sharing Subsidies in ConnectorCare: Design, Administration, and Impact

August 2021 —Through affordable premiums and cost sharing, the Health Connector’s ConnectorCare program promotes access to care and reduced cost burdens for approximately 193,000 low-to-moderate income Massachusetts residents. As the state Marketplace’s flagship health insurance subsidy program, ConnectorCare offers the Commonwealth’s families comprehensive and high-quality health plan options with affordable premiums and point of care cost sharing.

Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Updating Payment Parameters, Section 1332 Waiver Implementing Regulations, and Improving Health Insurance Markets for 2022 and Beyond”

The Massachusetts Health Connector has provided robust feedback on the proposed 2022 NBPP updates, strongly supporting the repeal of the direct enrollment option to safeguard consumer protections and ensure transparency in health plan selection. The letter also endorses the restoration of the 2015 Section 1332 waiver guidance to uphold comprehensive coverage standards and promote health equity.

Getting to 100: What we know about the remaining uninsured in Massachusetts

January 2021 —In 2019, less than 3 percent of Massachusetts residents, or roughly 200,000 people, lacked health insurance coverage. The Commonwealth’s highest-in-the-nation rate of coverage can be attributed to innovative state and federal reforms. While together these reforms expanded coverage to nearly half a million Massachusetts residents, in recent years the state’s insured rate has flattened, despite year-round outreach, an enduring state level individual mandate, and state subsidized ConnectorCare plans.

Comment Letter on the Draft 2022 Federal Actuarial Value Calculator Methodology

The Massachusetts Health Connector and Division of Insurance have shared key feedback on the draft 2022 Federal Actuarial Value Calculator Methodology. The comment letter emphasizes concerns over how the current methodology affects plan design, particularly for bronze-level plans, which are increasingly difficult to keep affordable and within federal standards.

Comment Letter on the proposed rule, “Securing Updated and Necessary Statutory Evaluations Timely”

The Massachusetts Health Connector has raised significant concerns about the proposed SUNSET rule, which could lead to the automatic expiration of vital health regulations if not reviewed in a timely manner. The Health Connector warns that this approach risks creating disruptions in health coverage and unpredictability in the insurance market, potentially harming consumers and states that rely on these protections.