General Information - Massachusetts Health Connector

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

Page contents Please note: The contents of this page are intended to be informational only and do not constitute tax or legal advice. If you need advice about your specific circumstances, please contact a tax or legal professional. For the first time in 2026, Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can be used with all individual plans on the Health Connector’s Bronze tier and Catastrophic plans. HSAs let you set money aside to help you pay out-of-pocket health care costs through an account that lets you save money at tax time. Most larger banks and personal finance companies offer quick and easy HSA options with information about how to deduct HSA contributions at tax time. What is an HSA? An HSA can be used to pay for some health care costs, such as deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance. HSAs also give you some tax benefits that save you money when you file your taxes. Who is eligible for HSAs, and how can they be paired with Health Connector plans? Beginning on January 1, 2026, all Bronze and Catastrophic plans available to individuals enrolling in non-group coverage through the Health Connector can be paired with HSAs, regardless of whether they meet the definition of a High-Deductible Health Plan. The plan comparison tools can also be used to determine which plans are HSA-compatible during plan shopping. What are the benefits of an HSA? Federal tax advantages. Contributions are tax-deductible, earnings from investment of account funds are tax-free, and withdrawals used [...]

Can I leave my employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) in the middle of the plan year?

When someone enrolls in health coverage through their employer, they are generally making that selection for the full plan year under federal rules. They may only make changes during their employer’s annual open enrollment period. However, federal rules provide specific scenarios when an employee can make mid-year plan changes. To make any mid-year changes, the employee must experience a qualifying mid-year election change event recognized by federal rules and allowed by their employer. Some examples of these qualifying events include: Marriage, divorce, or legal separation Change in number of dependents (for example, childbirth or adoption) Involuntary loss of coverage under another plan Change in employment status For any questions regarding mid-year plan changes, including dropping coverage through your employer, it’s important to speak to your employer.[1] If you have questions and would like to speak with someone, call Customer Service at 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765) or TTY: 711, or find an Enrollment Assister location near you. For more information, please see: What to Know If You Get Help Paying for Health Insurance from Both the Health Connector and Your Employer – Massachusetts Health Connector Job-based Insurance Affordability Calculator - Premium Tax Credit Department of Labor information on Continuation of Health Coverage – COBRA Massachusetts Division of Insurance MiniCobra Continuation of Coverage Benefits Guide Tax Treatment of Cafeteria Plans – Final Regulation __________ [1] See Tax Treatment of Cafeteria Plans on IRS.gov: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-regs/td8921.pdf

Can I get Health Connector coverage if I do not want my employer-sponsored insurance (ESI)?

You can switch out of your employer’s plan to a Health Connector plan during your employer’s annual open enrollment period. Even if you could continue on your employer’s plan, the ending of that plan would trigger a special enrollment opportunity for you to sign up for Health Connector coverage. An employee is not eligible to receive subsidies through the Health Connector if their employer-sponsored coverage is considered affordable (according to a federal definition) and provides minimum value coverage. However, as noted below, an employee is not eligible to receive subsidies through the Health Connector if their employer-sponsored coverage is considered affordable (according to a federal definition) and provides “minimum value” coverage. If you are not in your employer’s annual open enrollment period, you would need to experience a qualifying mid-year election change event to leave the employer’s plan. If you leave your employer’s plan, you may apply for and enroll in Health Connector coverage. If you do not have a qualifying mid-year election change event to leave your employer’s plan, and you still want to apply for and enroll in Health Connector coverage, please know that you will need to experience a qualifying event to enroll with the Health Connector and you would be covered by both your employer plan and Health Connector plan. That means that you would be paying for double coverage.

Can I get subsidies through the Health Connector if I choose to leave my employer-sponsored insurance (ESI)?

An employee is not eligible to receive subsidies through the Health Connector if their employer-sponsored coverage is considered affordable (according to a federal definition) and provides “minimum value” coverage. Employer-sponsored coverage is considered affordable if the portion of the annual premium you must pay for self-only coverage does not exceed the annually adjusted percentage of household income set by the IRS, which is9.02% in 2025 and 9.96% in 2026. Employer-sponsored coverage is considered to meet “minimum value” standards if the plan covers at least 60 percent of the total allowed cost of benefits expected to be incurred under the plan. The plan also must provide substantial coverage of in-patient hospitalization and physician services. Most employer plans meet this standard. The Health Connector has a tool located here to help you calculate the affordability of your job-based coverage.

Consumer Protections Against Surprise Billing through the No Surprises Act

The No Surprises Act protects people from getting surprise medical bills when they have an emergency, get services from an out-of-network provider at an in-network facility, or get services from an out-of-network air ambulance service provider. It also establishes a process for payment disputes between plans and providers. It provides new opportunities for dispute resolution for people who are uninsured or self-pay individuals when they receive a medical bill that is much greater than the good faith estimate they get from the provider. If you have private health insurance, the protections ban most types of surprise bills. If you're uninsured or decide not to use your health insurance for a service, you can get an estimate of the cost of care before your visit. If you disagree with your bill, you may be able to dispute the charges. Here are some frequently asked questions about the No Surprises Act: Am I protected against surprise medical bills? In 2022, the federal No Surprises Act (NSA) established new protections that prevent surprise medical bills for individuals covered under group and individual health plans. These new protections ban the most common types of surprise bills. What types of surprise medical bills does the No Surprises Act protect against? The No Surprises Act protects people covered under group and individual health plans from receiving surprise medical bills when they receive: most emergency services; non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities; and services from out-of-network air ambulance service providers. It also establishes a [...]

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. 2026 The 2025 Federal Poverty Levels are used to determine who may be eligible for Health Connector or ConnectorCare plans during the 2026 plan year, January 1 through December 31, 2026. 2025 MassHealth Income Standards and Federal Poverty Guidelines, Effective March 1, 2025 Family Size MassHealth Income 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 $1,305 $15,660 $1,735 $20,820 $1,957 $23,484 $2,478 $29,736 2 $650 $7,800 $1,763 $21,156 $2,345 $28,140 $2,644 $31,728 $3,349 $40,188 3 $775 $9,300 $2,221 $26,652 $2,954 $35,448 $3,332 $39,984 4 $891 $10,692 $2,680 $32,160 $3,564 $42,768 $4,019 $48,228 5 $1,016 $12,192 $3,138 $37,656 $4,173 $50,076 $4,707 $56,484 6 $1,141 $13,692 $3,596 $43,152 $4,783 $57,396 $5,394 $64,728 7 $1,266 $15,192 $4,055 $48,660 $5,393 $64,716 $6,082 $72,984 8 $1,383 $16,596 $4,513 $54,156 $6,002 $72,024 $6,769 $81,228 For each additional person, add $133 $1,596 $459 $5,508 $610 $7,320 $688 $8,256 These figures are rounded and may not reflect the figures used in program determination. The Institutional Income Standard is $72.80. Family Size 200% Federal Poverty Level 225% Federal Poverty Level 250% Federal Poverty Level 300% Federal Poverty Level 400% Federal [...]

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 711. 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 711.

Your coverage end date and renewing your coverage

When you buy health and dental insurance through the Health Connector, your coverage period ends on December 31 regardless of your coverage start date. But, don’t worry. You have the opportunity to review coverage each year during the Open Enrollment period. Before your coverage end date for the year, you will get letters in the mail that will let you know about your coverage options for the next year. Your plan renewal information will tell you if your plan will be available for the next year, or, if it is not, will give your information about the new plan you are matched to. During open enrollment you can shop for a different plan, even if the plan you have is available. By shopping during open enrollment, you may be able to find plans with lower costs. If your plan is available for the next year and you do not want to change it, then all you have to do is continue to pay your monthly premium. About plan premiums It is important to know that plan premiums change each year. Premiums are calculated based on The ages of covered household members, The number of people covered on the plan, Where you live, and Rates set by health insurers, approved by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance If you are eligible for savings that help lower your monthly premium cost, this may change, too. For example, if you are eligible for an Advance Premium Tax Credit, how much you are eligible [...]

Where can I get more information?

You can explore this website, or call Customer Service at 1-877 MA ENROLL (1-877-623-6765) or TTY: 711.For in-person help, you can work with a Navigator or a Certified Application Counselor at a local hospital or community health center. These are people who have been trained to help you apply through the Health Connector. For a list of people in your area, go to the Find Local Help tool or call Customer Service.

What is the best way to apply for coverage?

The fastest way to apply is through the online application. If you would like help applying for insurance, you can get free help with an Enrollment Assister organization in your area. Find a location near you →You may also apply by phone by calling customer service at 1-877 MA ENROLL (1-877-623-6765) or TTY: 711.You can also apply through a paper application. Download a copy of the paper application from the Forms page or call 1-877 MA ENROLL (1-877-623-6765) or TTY: 711 to have a paper copy mailed to you.