Updating your Account Information

Introduction

When your income or household information change, you should update your application as soon as possible. Learn how to update your application –>

There are three key things to keep in mind when reporting a change.  Depending on the change, you may be eligible to shop for a new plan, you may experience a premium increase or decrease, and the change may take effect either at the time the change is reported or at the start of the next month.

Section 1: Overview of changes you can make and how they may impact you

When you report most changes, the change will take effect immediately.  However, when you add or remove an applicant the change may not take place until the beginning of the following month.

Unless you report a birth, adoption or death, the addition or removal of an applicant will be prospective (coverage begins at the beginning of the next month).

TIP: Be sure to report additions and removals the month before you desire the change (i.e if a dependent starts her/his new coverage May 1^st remove him/her from the application in April).

If the account holder and or subscriber passes away it is important to tack action immediately.  Coverage ends with the subscriber.  You may need to start a new application.

Section 2: Changing Incorrect Information

If your name, date of birth, and who is covered is not correct on your insurance card, check your application to make sure all covered member’s names are spelled correctly and their dates of birth, and other vital information is correct. If you see anything that is wrong, you can update the information online. Except

• Dates of birth, and
• Existing Social Security numbers

If you need update either of these, call Health Connector customer service as soon as possible to make the changes for you.

Section 3: Adding Applicants

Adding applicants will result in a premium change.  You may not be able to add an applicant if an applicant with the same SSN or the same First Name, Last Name and DOB is already on an application.  If you are blocked from adding an applicant call customer service and they will help you with next steps.

As outlined, unless the new applicant is a newborn, adoptee, or foster child, the new coverage will take effect at the beginning of the next month.  Report changes early to avoid gaps in coverage.

During Closed Enrollment, it is important to add newborns, spouses, adoptees and foster children to your application within 30 days from when they become part of your household.  If 30 days pass, you may need to wait until the next Open Enrollment.  If you need to add an applicant as the result of a qualifying life event, you can shop for a new plan during closed enrollment.

Qualifying Life Events:

• Getting married.
• Change in household dependents. Birth or adoption of a child, receiving a child into foster care, placing a child for adoption or foster care, or court-ordered care of a child.

Section 4: Removing Applicants

Removing applicants will result in a premium change.  As outlined, unless you report the death of an applicant, the removal takes effect at the beginning of the next month.  You need to report the removal of an applicant in advance, or the applicant may receive duplicate coverage.

If you are reporting a death and/or removing an applicant because of divorce, and the applicant is the head of household or subscriber, a number of steps must be taken.

1. You need to find out when your coverage will end
2. Apply for new coverage
3. If necessary, remove dependents from former application (in case of divorce)

In the event of death, a family will not receive health coverage after the subscriber dies.  It is important to speak to a customer service agent and ensure that you seek coverage retroactively when needed.  It is important you act quickly to avoid any gap in coverage.

If you are divorcing the subscriber, you may need to start a new application in order to receive appropriate coverage. It is important that dependent children are not applying for coverage on an existing application if you will apply for coverage and add dependent children.  You will be blocked from adding any dependents to your application if they are applying for coverage on an existing application.

Section 5: Special Circumstances in case of Domestic Abuse

In case of domestic abuse a subscriber is entitled to special consideration.  Restrictions on duplicate applications and tax household information may not apply.  Please seek customer service assistance.

Section 6: Age Milestones

Depending on what age a member turns, different rules apply.  If a dependent turns 26 he or she will receive current coverage up through the end of the month.

It is It is important to report disability status if you need to seek coverage for a dependent child 26 or older.

If a subscriber or dependent enrolled in a Catastrophic Plan turns 30 he or she will be enrolled in catastrophic coverage up through the end of the coverage year.

If a subscriber or dependent turns 65 and becomes eligible for Medicare he or she will have a number of options.  Please refer to cancelling coverage due to Medicare for more information.

Section 7: Moving

When you move within Massachusetts it is important to report the right change.  If you use a mailing address that is different from your home address when you update your home address, make sure the mailing address is also updated (if needed) and/or remains the same (if needed).

If your home address changes and you only report a mailing address change, you may not be paying the correct premium.  Be sure to review your application after reporting a change and confirm home address and mailing address.

NOTE: If you are moving to an address outside of Massachusetts and do not have coverage through a public source or through a job in that other state, then you may need to first apply for Marketplace coverage in that state so you do not experience a gap in coverage. Find out more on HealthCare.gov →

Section 8: Changing Status

TIP: It is important to report if you or a dependent can access other coverage (such as employer coverage) even if you do not enroll in that coverage.  Like adding or removing an applicant, this change in status will take effect at the beginning of the next month.

You need to report changes in status to ensure you receive the correct coverage. Changes in status include:

Changes in health coverage

• Someone in your household getting an offer of job-based insurance, even if they don’t enroll in it
• Someone in your household getting coverage from a public program like TRICARE, Veterans health program, or Medicare
• Someone in your household losing coverage, like job-based coverage or COBRA

Changes in status

• Change in disability status
• Change of tax filing status
• Change of citizenship or immigration status
• Change in status as an American Indian/Alaska Native or tribal member
• Incarceration or release from incarceration

Section 9: What if the information on my insurance card is incorrect?

If your name, date of birth, and who is covered is not correct on your insurance card, check your application to make sure all covered member’s names are spelled correctly and their dates of birth and other vital information is correct. If you see anything that is wrong, you can update the information online. Except

• Dates of birth, and
• Existing Social Security numbers

If you need to update either of these, call Health Connector customer service as soon as possible to make the changes for you.