Glossary

Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

The Federal Poverty Level, or FPL, is a measure of income level published each year by the Department of Health and Human Services. Federal poverty levels are used to help determine your eligibility for certain programs and benefits.The 2024 Income Standards and Federal Poverty Levels are used to determine who may be currently eligible for MassHealth programs for 2024.The 2023 Federal Poverty Levels are used to determine who may be eligible for Health Connector or ConnectorCare plans during the 2024 plan year, January 1 through December 31, 2024. 2024 MassHealth Income Standards and Federal Poverty Guidelines Family Size MassHealthIncome Standards 100%Federal Poverty Level 133%Federal Poverty Level 150%Federal Poverty Level 190% Federal Poverty Level   Monthly Yearly Monthly Yearly Monthly Yearly Monthly Yearly Monthly Yearly 1 $522 $6,264 $1,255 $15,060 $1,670 $20,040 $1,883 $22,596 $2,385 $28,620 2 $650 $7,800 $1,704 $20,448 $2,266 $27,192 $2,555 $30,660 $3,237 $38,844 3 $775 $9,300 $2,152 $25,824 $2,862 $34,344 $3,228 $38,736   4 $891 $10,692 $2,600 $31,200 $3,458 $41,496 $3,900 $46,800 5 $1,016 $12,192 $3,049 $36,588 $4,055 $48,660 $4,573 $54,876 6 $1,141 $13,692 $3,497 $41,964 $4,651 $55,812 $5,245 $62,940 7 $1,266 $15,192 $3,945 $47,340 $5,247 $62,964 $5,918 $71,016 8 $1,383 $16,596 $4,394 $52,728 $5,844 $70,128 $6,590 $79,080 For each additional person add $133 $1,596 $449 $5,388  $597  $7,164  $673  $8,076 These figures are rounded and may not reflect the figures used in program determination. Institutional Income Standard is $72.80.   Family Size 200%Federal Poverty Level 225%Federal Poverty Level 250%Federal Poverty Level [...]

Health Savings Account (HSA)

A type of savings account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. By using untaxed dollars in a Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and some other expenses, you may be able to lower your overall health care costs. HSA funds generally may not be used to pay premiums. While you can use the funds in an HSA at any time to pay for qualified medical expenses, you may contribute to an HSA only if you have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) — generally a health plan (including a Marketplace plan) that only covers preventive services before the deductible. For plan year 2019, the minimum deductible is $1,350 for an individual and $2,700 for a family. For plan year 2020, the minimum deductible for an HDHP is $1,400 for an individual and $2,800 for a family. When you view plans in the Marketplace, you can see if they’re "HSA-eligible." For 2019, if you have an HDHP, you can contribute up to $3,500 for self-only coverage and up to $7,000 for family coverage into an HSA. For 2020, if you have an HDHP, you can contribute up to $3,550 for self-only coverage and up to $7,100 for family coverage into an HSA. HSA funds roll over year to year if you don't spend them. An HSA may earn interest or other earnings, which are not taxable. Some health insurance companies offer HSAs for their HDHPs. Check with your [...]

What’s the difference between the Health Connector and MassHealth?

We’ve heard questions from many members over the years who are confused about the difference between MassHealth and the Health Connector. Here’s a quick overview of the differences between these two separate state agencies: Massachusetts Health ConnectorWhere people who don’t get coverage through a job can buy a health or dental plan Where people with any level of income can buy a health plan The only place where people can get access to special programs to save money on health insurance if they qualify MassHealthWhere people can get free and low-cost health coverage if they qualify based on income level, a disability, pregnancy, or chronic (long-term) illness How are the agencies connected?One application for coverageWhen people apply for coverage at MAhealthconnector.org, they fill out one application to find out if they qualify for coverage through MassHealth, the Health Connector, or both. People or families can have a mix of coverage from both agenciesFor example, a family could have parents covered by the Health Connector with children who are covered by MassHealth. Or a person may get temporary benefits from MassHealth (called Health Safety Net) that cover some services before their Health Connector enrollment starts.Who do I call for help?If you need help with MassHealth benefits, call the MassHealth contact center at 1-800-841-2900, or TTY 1-800-497-4648. This is a separate call center from the Health Connector.If you need help with Health Connector coverage, call the Health Connector at 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765), or TTY 1-877-623-7773.

Metallic Tiers

The Health Connector plans are grouped in metallic tiers (levels) to make it even easier for shoppers to compare: Platinum plans have the highest premiums but the lowest co-pays and deductibles. Gold plans have lower premiums, but higher co-pays and deductibles than Platinum plans. Silver plans have lower premiums, but higher co-pays and deductibles than Gold plans. Bronze plans have the lowest premiums but the highest co-pays and deductibles.

Premium tax credit (Advanced Premium Tax Credit – APTC)

A premium tax credit is money that the federal government pays directly to your insurance company every month so that you have lower monthly premiums. If you qualify for premium tax credits, you may be able to use some of the tax credit towards the purchase of dental insurance as well. Your tax credit is based on the income you and the people in your tax household expect to have during the year.

Open Enrollment Period

Open Enrollment is the period in the year when you can can enroll in a health insurance plan through the Health Connector Marketplace without a qualifying event. The most recent next Open Enrollment (OE) period was November 1, 2024 through January 23, 2024. Outside the Open Enrollment Period, you generally can enroll in a health insurance plan only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. You qualify if you have certain life events, like getting married, having a baby, or losing other health coverage. Learn more → You can enroll any time of the year if: You qualify for MassHealth. You now qualify for a ConnectorCare plan through the Health Connector after not having qualified in the past, or after applying for the first time. You are applying for dental coverage. You are a member of a federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native shareholder. If you have have insurance from a job, job-based plans may have different Open Enrollment Periods. Check with your employer.

Out-of-Pocket Maximum

The most you pay during a policy period (usually a year) before your health insurance or plan begins to pay 100% of the allowed amount. This limit never includes your premium, balance-billed charges, or health care your health insurance or plan doesn’t cover. Some health insurance or plans don’t count your co-payments, deductibles, coinsurance payments, out-of-network payments, or other expenses toward this limit. In Medicaid and CHIP, the limit includes premiums.

Essential Health Benefits

A set of health care service categories that must be covered by certain plans, starting in 2014. The Affordable Care Act ensures health plans offered in the individual and small group markets, both inside and outside of the Health Insurance Marketplace, offer a comprehensive package of items and services, known as essential health benefits. Essential health benefits must include items and services within at least the following 10 categories: ambulatory patient services; emergency services; hospitalization; maternity and newborn care; mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment; prescription drugs; rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; laboratory services; preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management; and pediatric services, including oral and vision care. Insurance policies must cover these benefits in order to be certified and offered in the Health Insurance Marketplace, and all Medicaid state plans must cover these services by 2014.

Cost-sharing

The share of costs covered by your insurance that you pay out of your own pocket. This term generally includes deductibles, coinsurance, and co-payments, or similar charges, but it doesn’t include premiums, balance billing amounts for non-network providers, or the cost of non-covered services. Cost sharing in Medicaid and CHIP also includes premiums.

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