Press Release

April 10, 2025 – The Massachusetts Health Connector is celebrating its largest enrollment in its history, with more than 400,000 residents in health or dental coverage on the 19th anniversary of the Commonwealth’s landmark health care reform law.

On April 12, 2006, Massachusetts enacted the landmark law that created the Health Connector and introduced a groundbreaking model for providing affordable access to health coverage to nearly all of its residents. It also was the framework that was later used to draft and design the federal Affordable Care Act, which currently provides health insurance to more than 24 million people across the country.

“Massachusetts has the best health care system in the world and the highest rate of residents enrolled in health care coverage in large part because of our Health Connector,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That’s why we have prioritized expanding the ConnectorCare program to bring affordable health care to more residents than ever before. As President Trump guts access to health care nationwide, it is more important than ever that Massachusetts offers this high-quality, affordable option to our residents.”

“ConnectorCare plays a key role in making Massachusetts one of the easiest places in the country to access health care. It’s a critical program that helps us deliver better health outcomes for hundreds of thousands of residents,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I was proud to vote for Massachusetts to become the first state to adopt universal health care, and I couldn’t be prouder to see that vision come to life and continue making a difference in so many lives.”

“Massachusetts has a history of leading our nation forward, and that especially includes expanding access to health care to everyone through Marketplaces like the Health Connector, a model that has proven so successful that it was then used to deliver coverage to tens of millions of Americans across the country,” said Audrey Morse Gasteier, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “As we turn 19, we serve more Massachusetts residents than ever, just as more Americans than ever before are covered through Affordable Care Act coverage. These successes mean that more individuals and families across Massachusetts and the nation have the health care access and financial protections that come with health coverage.”

In April 2025, the commitment to serving the residents of Massachusetts remains as strong as ever, and the Health Connector has more than 366,000 people in health coverage in the individual market, and an additional 14,000 people in small-group coverage through Health Connector for Business. More than 31,000 people get stand-alone dental coverage through the Health Connector. In total, 411,000 people are enrolled in health or dental plans through the Marketplace.

As the Health Connector nears its 20th birthday, it continues to innovate in how it delivers affordable coverage to Massachusetts residents. More than 311,000 people are in the subsidized ConnectorCare program, which delivers lower premiums and co-pays, no deductibles, and $0 prescriptions for chronic disease like diabetes and hypertension. That includes more than 61,000 people who are in a pilot expansion of ConnectorCare, which extends income limits to provide these essential benefits to more people in the program. Additionally, Health Connector for Business, which makes health and dental coverage available to small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, launched a new Premium Value Plan designation for 2025, which lets businesses and their brokers shopping for coverage easily identify plans with lower than average premium costs while still delivering the same benefits and services as similar plans. Along with lower premiums and the ConnectWell wellness program that offers 15 percent off business’ premiums, Health Connector for Business provides more-affordable health care options to small businesses across Massachusetts.

The traditional fall Open Enrollment period is when anyone can access coverage through the Marketplace, but special enrollment opportunities are available year-round for qualifying events, including recently losing other coverage (such as losing employer-sponsored coverage), moving to Massachusetts, or becoming eligible for ConnectorCare. Residents who need coverage can go to MAhealthconnector.org to see if they qualify for a plan and help paying for coverage.

The Massachusetts Health Connector is the Commonwealth’s health insurance Marketplace, and currently serves more than 410,000 individuals and small-employer members with health and dental insurance. Massachusetts residents can use the Marketplace to enroll in coverage, and residents who do not have health insurance from an employer or other entity may qualify for subsidies. Through the ConnectorCare program, income-qualifying residents can access coverage that includes low-cost premiums and co-pays, and no deductibles.

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Contact:

Jason Lefferts
617-869-4894, jason.w.lefferts@mass.gov