COVID-19 Resources & Information 

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, the Health Connector is dedicated to sharing important updates and resources with our members and Massachusetts residents who need health coverage. 

Have you recently lost your coverage through your job or other source? Know your options through the Health Connector.

Open Enrollment for individuals and families is happening ended January 23, 2023. If you need heath insurance after Open Enrollment, there’s great news! You may still be eligible to enroll in 2023 coverage during the Special Enrollment period if you experience a qualifying event or are newly eligible for help paying for health coverage. Programs include MassHealth, Children’s Medical Security Plan (CMSP), Health Safety Net, and ConnectorCare. Find out more about the Special Enrollment Period →

If you need help with your application, you can get free assistance with a Navigator organization near you.

Please note that if you or family members are eligible for MassHealth programs, your coverage may start sooner than the 1st of the month. 

Latest Updates

Upcoming Coverage Start Dates Enrollment Deadline
January 1, 2023 December 23
February 1, 2023 January 23 (Open Enrollment ends)
March 1, 2023 February 23
April 1, 2023 March 23

 

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Special Note for current MassHealth Members

As of March 18, 2020, MassHealth will protect coverage for all individuals who have Medicaid coverage and for all individuals approved for coverage during the COVID-19 outbreak national emergency and for one month after the emergency period ends. Coverage will only end if an individual requests termination of eligibility or if they are no longer resident of the state. Members will not lose coverage or have a decrease in benefits for any other reason.

For individuals who sees on the screen and/or have received notices that their coverage is ending after March 18, 2020, no change in coverage will occur. These individuals do not have to send in any paperwork to keep their coverage, we will take steps to ensure their coverage does not terminate.

Customer Service is Here to Help

The Health Connector Customer Service team is dedicated to serving our members during this time. If you need help with apply for coverage, our call center remains open during normal business hours. We ask for your patience if you experience longer call wait times than usual.

Call 1-877-623-6765 (TTY: 1-877-623-7773 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled)

Business Hours

  • Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Saturday–Sunday: Closed

Contact a Navigator

Navigators are trained to help you complete an application and answer questions as you enroll. You can call your local Navigator organization to get help by phone. If you need in-person help, understand that the availability of that assistance may be limited at this time, so it is important to call ahead.

Having trouble affording your health insurance premium? Know your options through the Health Connector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please check back for updated FAQs.

If you are applying for the first time, or a current Health Connector or MassHealth member updating your income, you may have new types of income to enter, including

When filling out your income information, use the chart below to help complete your application:

Type of Income Include in Current Income? Include in Projected Annual Income?
Unemployment extension to up to 39 weeks of benefits Yes, regular unemployment should be reported as long as it is received Yes, make your best prediction about your yearly income accounting for how long you expect to receive unemployment
$300 unemployment “bump” (Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation) No, do not include this amount in the unemployment benefits you report Yes! Do add the $300 per week in when reporting expected yearly income.
One-time Ecomonic Impact Payment (“stimulus payment”) of up to $1,400 per  qualifying individuals No, do not include this income No, do not include this income

Tips for entering income: 

  • If you are applying or updating your income, you should enter your current income (as it is right now) without the $300 in additional UI income, then update your expected yearly income based on what they think they’ll make over the course of the year
  • When entering your yearly income, consider how much has been earned so far this year, add any unemployment, including the extra $600 per week, and include what might be earned if and when you return to work later this year
  • If your income changes later, update your income information again so it is as correct as possible
  • If you receive an Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC), you can always adjust the amount you take by using the slide on the Eligibility Results page of your application

If your income has changed and you are not able to afford your premium, please update your income as soon as possible. By updating your income, you make sure that your eligibility for subsidies and certain programs stays up-to-date and may be more affordable for you. You can update your income online or by phone.

Learn how to update your income →

Insurers in Massachusetts, including those that offer health plans through the Health Connector, are required to cover the cost of testing and treatment for members who may be affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI) has asked health insurance companies to take several steps to help protect people in Massachusetts against coronavirus, including the following:

  • Set up telephone helplines to answer questions about coronavirus
  • Make telehealth services more available and at a lower cost to members. This is so members can be seen and treated by a doctor without having to go into an office whenever possible
  • Remove coronavirus testing and treatment costs (like co-pays) when medically needed

More information ad Resources:

Even if you’ve been furloughed, if your employer offers you health coverage that is considered affordable, you won’t be able to get a health plan with financial help through the Health Connector.

Affordability of a plan is based on the cost of the plan as a percentage (part) of your income. If your income is lower now because you’ve been furloughed, the plan may not be considered affordable to you now, even if it was in the past. You can enter information about your current income and your employer health plan in our online tool to check to see if the plan is currently considered affordable by law.

If your employer is no longer offering health coverage, or if the plan offered through your job is not considered affordable, you may be able to get financial help through the Health Connector. This is true whether or not you are furloughed.

Learn more about applying for Health Connector health coverage.

If you decide to end the health plan from your job and enroll through the Health Connector, please make sure to talk to your employer first. You will need to let them know about the new health plan you are enrolling in before you end your current plan.

Are you a current member and need help accessing health services?

Please contact your health insurance plan directly. Member service numbers and websites are listed below.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Website →

  • Member Services: 1-800-262-2583
  • COVID-19 Hotline:1-888-372-1970

Fallon Health Website →

  • Member Services: 800-868-5200
  • COVID-19 Hotline: 855-508-6227

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Website →

  • Member Services: 888-888-4742 (TTY: 711)
  • COVID-19 Hotline: Call the member services on the back of your insurance card and follow the system prompts
Health New England Website →

  • Member Services: 800-310-2835
  • COVID-19 Hotline: Call member services and follow the system prompts
Mass General Brigham Health Plan Website →

  • Member Services: 1-866-414-5533
  • COVID-19 Hotline: Call the member services on the back of your insurance card and follow the system prompts

Tufts Health Plan Website →

  • Member Services: 888-257-1985

COVID-19 Resources

  • Tufts Direct Members:
    The NurseLine is available for COVID-19 needs. If members have questions about coronavirus or any related health issue, call the free 24/7 NurseLine at 888-697-6546. Speak to a registered nurse about any concerns you may have about coronavirus.
  • Tufts Premier Members:
    Tufts Health Plan Premier members should call the number on your insurance ID card, which is 800-462-0224. When calling that number, there will be an option to talk to someone about the coronavirus/COVID-19.

UnitedHealthcare Website →

  • Member Services:
  • COVID-19 Hotline: Call member services and follow the system prompts

WellSense Health Plan, formerly BMC HealthNet Plan, Website →

  • Member Services: 855-833-8120 (TTY: 711)
  • COVID-19 Hotline:
    • ConnectorCare or Health Connector Plan Members: 855-833-8120 and press the # option
    • MassHealth Members: 888-566-0010 and press the # option
    • Well Sense members: 877-957-1300 and press the # option
    • Senior Care Options: 855-833-8125 and press the # option

If you have recently enrolled and your coverage has started, but you have not yet received your insurance ID cards, find out how to access health services here →

COVID-19 Information & Resources

Find information about COVID-19 including public health information and how to protect yourself and others to #StopTheSpread:

Be sure to check your local city or town’s website and social media to stay updated about your local community. You can find a list here →

Additional Resources

If you need additional help, such as food, domestic violence, or housing assistance, find a list of resources below: