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How to update your account to apply for subsidies

If you are a Health Connector member and did not apply for subsidies, you can update your account to see if you may qualify for a free or low-cost ConnectorCare plan, MassHealth, or a tax credit that can be used to lower your monthly premiums right away. How to update your information, step-by-step: Step 1: Sign into your account and go to your "My Eligibility" page. You will see "Year 2023" application listed. Step 2: On the "My Eligibility" page, click "Edit Application" under the Actions column. If you don't see this link, skip to Step 3. Step 3: On the next page, you will need to click the "Report a Change" link under the Actions column. Step 4: On the next page, choose "Change application type". Then, click the "Report Changes" button to make your updates. Step 4: You will be taken to the start of your application. Review your profile information and click continue until you get to the question "Do you need help paying for coverage?" Change your answer to "Yes, I want to see if I can get MassHealth or help paying for health care." When you click "Continue", you will need to go through the full application, updating your information as needed and answering questions about your household income. When you sign submit your updated application, this updates your eligibility information. Please be sure to follow instructions on your Eligibility Results page as you may need to shop for a new plan or make a [...]

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Upload Documents (Proof)

When you apply for coverage, renew, or update your information, you may be asked to send proof of some information that could not be electronically verified. Your proof can be sent to the Health Connector and MassHealth By uploading online through your account. By Mail, By Fax, and Bringing documents in-person to a MassHealth Enrollment Center. If you need in-person assistance, you can get help from an Enrollment Assister near you. Find locations → Important: If you are sending proof, don't send the same document in more than one way. For example, don't fax and upload the same document for proof. How to upload your documents Step 1 Sign in to your online account. (If you don't have an online account or or locked out, call Customer Service for assistance.) Step 2 In the main menu of your account, go to "Documents." This will take you to the Manage Documents page. Step 3 On the Manage Documents page, click the "Upload Documents" button, which will take you to the upload interface. If you submitted proof before, you may see those documents listed on the page. Step 4 Drag and drop your files, or you can click the "Browse" link and go to where your documents are saved on your computer or mobile phone to upload. If you use the "Browse" link, use your device's file browser to add your documents. While you can submit up to 5 documents at a time, each file [...]

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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.

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What to Know If You Get Help Paying for Health Insurance from Both the Health Connector and Your Employer

Overview A Health Reimbursement Arrangement, or HRA, is an employee health benefit from your employer that reimburses you for your health care expenses up to a certain dollar amount. There are several types of HRAs. This page focuses on two types: Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRAs) and Qualified Small Employer HRAs (QSEHRAs).If you are offered one of these types of HRAs, you should have received a clear notice from your employer explaining the terms of the Individual Coverage HRA or the QSEHRA. The type of HRA will appear prominently on that notice.If your employer offers an Individual Coverage HRA or a QSEHRA instead of a traditional employer health insurance plan, you can use it to help pay your monthly premiums for a health plan purchased through the Health Connector. However, these types of HRAs might affect your tax credit eligibility. When completing the Health Connector application for health coverage, be sure to enter any information about your individual coverage HRA or QSEHRA from your employer. The Health Connector’s application includes questions about  employer offered HRAs and uses this information to determine your eligibility for tax credits through the Health Connector.Keep your application information up to date. If your income changes, you should update the information you gave us about your expected income in your application. If your employer stops offering an Individual Coverage HRA or a QSEHRA, you should update your application since that may affect your tax credit eligibility.You can read more below about Individual Coverage HRAs and QSEHRAs. [...]

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Hardship exemption and how to apply

If you are over age 30 and have applied for and were approved for a federal hardship exemption, you may be able to shop for a Catastrophic plan. For information about the federal hardship exemption, including how to apply, go to the hardship exemption page on HealthCare.gov →Effective November 1, 2025As of November 1, 2025, individuals who are ineligible for advance premium tax credits (APTC) or cost-sharing reductions (CSR) due to their projected annual income will be eligible for a hardship waiver. Consumers with a projected annual income below 100 percent or above 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) will be eligible for a hardship exemption and can enroll in Catastrophic coverage. To receive the hardship waiver, Massachusetts residents must complete the hardship exemption form by selecting “Hardship 14 – You experienced another hardship” from the available options in Section 2 of the form. Were you already approved for a federal hardship exemption? If you have a federal hardship exemption and want to shop for a Catastrophic health insurance plan through the Health Connector, please 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. Health plans that meet all of the requirements applicable to other Health Connector plans but that don’t cover any benefits other than 3 primary care visits per year before the plan’s deductible is met. The premium amount you pay each month for health care is generally lower than for other [...]

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Important information about identity (ID) proofing

What is ID proofing?ID proofing is one of the first steps of the process to apply for health coverage through the Health Connector website and is required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). ID proofing is used to verify your identity by asking you customized questions based on your personal and financial history to protect your privacy and information and prevent fraud.Id proofing is performed through external servicesHow ID proofing worksTo protect your personal information, you have to take a few steps to verify your identity before you can complete an application. First you will provide information when you create your profile. This information will be used for the first step of ID proofing. Once your information is verified, the ID proofing process will ask you questions that only you would be likely to know the answers to, based on your financial accounts and personal information in your credit report. This process is meant to prevent an unauthorized person from creating an account and applying for health coverage in your name without your knowledge.The ID proofing service will show you several multiple choice questions for you to answer. These questions will be based on Credit and Non-Credit information. Sample question types include:Auto Loan Lender (Credit)Previous Street Name (Non-Credit)Last 4 digits SSN (Non-Credit)Employer Name (Credit)Year of Birth (Credit)Previous Address (Non-Credit)Previous Phone Number (Non-Credit)If your identity cannot be verified online, we need to receive proper documentation such as a copy of your driver’s license; U.S. passport; or another identification card issued by [...]

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Do I have to buy health insurance?

Under both Massachusetts and national health reform laws, most people must have health insurance if it’s affordable to them. There can be penalties for not being insured.Find out more about the Massachusetts Individual Mandate →

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Are there different ways to get help paying for health insurance?

Yes. When you apply, you will be able to find out which programs you can qualify for. The three main ways to get help paying for coverage are through MassHealth (Massachusetts’ Medicaid program), ConnectorCare health plans, and tax credits that lower your monthly insurance premium.All applications for help paying for coverage can be done through the online application, or by filling out a paper application that is used by both the Health Connector and MassHealth.

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