Publications

Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “Affidavit of Support on Behalf of Immigrants”

The Massachusetts Health Connector has voiced strong opposition to the proposed rule on the Affidavit of Support for immigrants, citing concerns over its detrimental effects on both health coverage and economic stability within the state. The letter highlights how the rule could deter immigrant families from accessing essential health care, undermining the Commonwealth’s pursuit of near-universal insurance coverage.

Massachusetts Health Connector COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period: Final Enrollment Results

September 1, 2020—This brief is designed to provide final data and analysis on supports for state residents to access and maintain their coverage through the duration of the national COVID-19 crisis. The Health Connector established a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Massachusetts residents without health insurance coverage or those with coverage that may have become unaffordable.

Comment Letter on the proposed rule, “Certain Medical Care Arrangements”

The Massachusetts Health Connector has submitted a comment letter addressing concerns about the proposed rule on Certain Medical Care Arrangements. The Health Connector emphasizes the risks of consumer confusion with health care sharing ministries, which often lack the protections of ACA-compliant insurance.

Massachusetts Health Connector COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period: Results to Date

May 1, 2020—This brief is designed to provide data and analysis (to-date) on supports for state residents to access and maintain their coverage through the duration of the national COVID-19 crisis. The Health Connector’s existing programs paired with new policy strategies aim to expand coverage to the remaining and newly uninsured (particularly those who may be losing job-based health coverage) and protect coverage for current members.

Comment Letter on the Proposed Rule, “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2021; Notice Requirement for Non-Federal Governmental Plans”

The Massachusetts Health Connector provided feedback on the proposed 2021 Benefit and Payment Parameters, emphasizing the importance of maintaining automatic re-enrollment to ensure coverage continuity for residents. The letter highlights the critical need for state flexibility in managing eligibility processes, allowing tailored solutions that align with local market dynamics.

Striving for meaningful choice: Non-group health plans on the Massachusetts Health Connector product shelf

January 2019—This brief is designed to provide data and analysis relative to the breadth of choices offered since the Health Connector’s inception to members purchasing outside the curated plan sets of Commonwealth Care or ConnectorCare. Although subsidized plans represent a larger share of the Health Connector’s membership, there are a limited number of standardized plans serving those members. Through examination of the way in which consumers select a single plan from the dozens available, the Health Connector will continue to refine its approach to plan offerings as well as tailoring decision support tools.

Massachusetts Medicaid Buy-in Study

October 2018—Report on the feasibility of establishing a small employer premium sharing plan for participation in the MassHealth program.

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