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People you can include on your application

When you fill out your application, you'll need to include all of your family (household) members, even if they don't need insurance. You'll be able to choose which of your family members you include are applying for coverage. Please remember to include your family members in order to get an accurate eligibility determination. Remember, your eligibility determination depends upon your household size, income, and other factors that you will provide during the application process. People you can include on your application Yourself Your spouse Your natural, adoptive, or step-children under age 19 Your unmarried partner if you have children together who are under age 19 Your unmarried partner’s children who live with you and who are under age 19, if you also include your unmarried partner Anyone you include on your tax return (even if they do not live with you) Anyone your unmarried partner included on his or her tax return (even if they do not live with you), if you also include your unmarried partner Anyone else under age 19 who you live with and take care of You do not have to include Your unmarried partner, unless you have children together Your unmarried partner’s children, unless they live with you Your parents who you live with and who file their own taxes if they do not claim you as a tax dependent (if you are aged 19 or older) Other adult relatives who you do not claim as a tax dependent

Other software you may need

Some information on the Health Connector website or insurance companies’ websites may only be available in Adobe Portable Document Format (known as a PDF). Some browsers have built-in ways to view these files. If you cannot open a PDF file, you may need a free Adobe PDF reader installed on your computer. Adobe Reader is available as a free download here →

Protect your privacy while filling out an application

To help protect your privacy, the Health Connector has some built-in features to keep your information private and protected. But, there are also important things you must do to keep your information safe and secure while filling out your application online: Never walk away from your computer or mobile device (like a phone or tablet) while you are filling out your application. Sign out of your account when you are finished with your account. To make sure cached (saved) copies of your web pages you visited are cleared, always close your browser—not just the tab you are working in—after signing out. Your website session will expire after 20 minutes of inactivity. If you are still working on your application, but stepped away from the computer for 20 minutes or more, you may lose unsaved information. To continue working, you will need to sign back into the website. If your browser asks to save your username or password, always choose “No” to stop other people who may use the computer to access your account. Do not leave your username or password written down where another person may find it. Again...Always close your browser—not just the tabs in your web browser—when you are finished using the Health Connector website, especially if you are using a public, or shared, computer or mobile device.

Important dates and deadlines

The most recent Open Enrollment (OE) period ended January 23, 2023. Great news! If you need health insurance outside of the Open Enrollment period, you can enroll in coverage any time of the year if you Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, or are applying for a dental plan, or qualify for help paying for health coverage including ConnectorCare, MassHealth, Children’s Medical Security Plan (CMSP), or Health Safety Net. Find out more about the Special Enrollment Period → Remember: If you qualify for coverage through MassHealth, you can apply and enroll at any time during the year and coverage may start right away. If you qualify for a Health Connector plan during the Special Enrollment Period, please note the following enrollment deadlines and coverage start dates below.

Recommended web browsers

If you use a web browser that does not support the online application, some functions may not work as they are supposed to and can result in difficulties when browsing the site or completing your application. Also, note that outdated browsers may not have the latest security features, so it is important to keep your browser up-to-date to keep your information safe. If you are using an older version or a browser, you should update it now to the latest version or install one of the following browsers to take full advantage of this website: Chrome Firefox Opera Microsoft Edge Safari 9 (Mac OS only)

How to clear your browser’s cache (history/memory)

If you experience technical issues while using this website, many can be resolved by clearing your browser’s memory (also called “cache”). Below are instructions on how to do this in the recommended web browsers: Chrome version 30 or later Click the Chrome menu button (three horizontal bars in the top right corner on the browser toolbar). Select “Tools.” Select “Clear browsing data.” In the dialog that appears, select “Empty the cache” and deselect other items. Use the menu at the top to select the amount of data that you want to delete. Select “beginning of time” to delete everything. Click “Clear browsing data.” Get more detailed instructions on how to clear your cache in Google Chrome→ Firefox version 30 or later Select “History,” and select “Clear Recent History.” For the “Time range to clear” section, select “Everything.” Click on the dropdown for the “Details” menu and check the box “Cache.” Click “Clear Now.” Get more detailed instructions on how to clear your cache in Mozilla Firefox→ Internet Explorer 10 and 11 Select “Tools,” and select” Internet Options.” Under “Browsing History,” select “Delete.” Check the following: “Temporary Internet Files, Cookies and History.” Select “Delete.” Click “OK” to close Internet Options dialog box. Get more detailed instructions on how to clear your cache in Internet Explorer 10 or 11 (you may need to select your IE version and Operating system→

Using your browser’s navigation buttons

Please DO NOT use use your website browser's navigation buttons at any time, such as the "Back," "Forward," "Stop," or "Refresh" buttons. Because the Health Connector website uses federal databases to verify information you enter in real time, there may be times that the website may seem slow. But, it is very important not to stop or interrupt website processes that are happening. To move forward and back in the application, use the "Save & Continue" or "Back" buttons in the application pages at all times. Also, because the Health Connector application is a responsive website, the application pages may change the way it looks in response to the size of the your web browser or other settings you may use (like larger text). In some cases, this may change the location or appearance of the navigation buttons in the application, which is expected.

What happens if the Health Connector website is slow or unavailable?

The Health Connector website is tested to be able to have a large number of users on the site at the same time. Also, the website is connected to other systems to do things like confirm your identity, address, and income. Sometimes these outside systems may be slow or unavailable, which is outside our control, and may temporarily stop you from being able to complete your application. We will always try to alert you on our homepage whenever one of these other systems are unavailable and tell you what you may need to do in order to have the best experience possible. Sometimes, this will mean that you will need to come back to the website after the maintenance is done to finish. Other times, this means that you can finish what you were doing, but you may need t send in documents (or proof) after you completed your application. There may even be times that you will not be able to sign into the website at all while maintenance is happening. Note: As long as you use the "Save & Continue" buttons in the application, the information you entered will be saved, so you don't have to worry about re-tying your information if you need to sign out and come back later to finish. Generally, maintenance is planned and happens overnight. It is recommended that to avoid planned maintenance periods that you try to use the application during daytime and early evening hours as much as you can. If [...]

What to do if you get a 405, 500 or yellow triangle error message

If you get an error message, like one of the examples below, while you are completing your eligibility application or shopping for a plan, do not use your browser’s "Back" or "Forward" button or refresh the page to try to fix the problem. Instead, you should Clear your browser’s cache and also restart your browser, or Switch to another one of the recommended browsers. If you have tried these things and are still getting 405, 500, or Yellow Triangle (general) error message, you can come back to the site and try again later. If you continue to experience these errors, you can also call Health Connector Customer Service at 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765), or TTY 711 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled. Example 405 Error Example 500 Error Example General Error Message (Yellow Triangle)

Children under age 19 applying as the primary subscriber

Children under age 19 may apply for coverage as the primary subscriber for a child-only plan, but they will need to provide the Health Connector and MassHealth information about a parent or legal guardian to sign the coverage Terms & Conditions. Currently, the website does not allow families to provide this information online at this time. If you are filling out an application for a child under age 19 applying as a primary subscriber, you may need to call Health Connector or MassHealth Customer Service to complete the application.   Health Connector Customer Service MassHealth Customer Service 1-877-MA-ENROLL (1-877-623-6765), or TTY 711 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled. 1-800-841-2900, or TTY 1-800-497-4648 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled.

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