Deadline for New Year coverage is Dec. 23, beyond federal end date of Dec. 15
December 14, 2020 – The Massachusetts Health Connector, which provides affordable commercial health insurance to more than 275,000 people, remains open to new enrollments through Jan. 23, with a deadline of Dec. 23 for anyone who needs coverage to start the New Year.
Those deadlines are beyond the federal Open Enrollment deadline. The federal government’s healthcare.gov closes to new coverage on Dec. 15. In order to ensure everyone who needs coverage has the opportunity to sign up, the Health Connector maintains deadlines that extend beyond the federal government timing.
“Having health insurance is always vital to ensure people’s physical and financial health, but more than ever, having coverage is necessary as we try to keep people safe from COVID-19 and deliver COVID-19 testing and treatment benefits to Massachusetts residents,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “We encourage everyone to get covered and stay covered – that means having health insurance and wearing a mask and staying socially distant.”
The Health Connector is the state-based health insurance exchange for Massachusetts, offering affordable commercial plans to people who do not get coverage through their employer or other sources. The Health Connector offers subsidized plans to those who are income-eligible through the ConnectorCare program, which offers lower premiums and co-pays, and no-deductibles to those enrolling in a plan. Most people who shop through the Health Connector qualify for subsidies to help make coverage especially affordable.
People who need health insurance can go to www.MAhealthconnector.org, complete an application, and immediately find out what kind of coverage for which they qualify. Applicants who qualify for ConnectorCare will see a list of qualifying plans that include important benefits, including for COVID testing and treatment.
On Dec. 15, the Health Connector will be holding its Massachusetts-specific Day of Coverage, with a series of events and activities, including holiday food cooking clinics, live music, and raffle giveaways. This year’s Day of Coverage will be the first fully virtual event, due to COVID-19. The day runs from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and will be livestreamed throughout at the Health Connector’s Facebook page.
About the Massachusetts Health Connector
The Massachusetts Health Connector is the Commonwealth’s health insurance exchange, and currently serves 325,000 individuals and small-employer members with health and dental insurance. Massachusetts residents who do not have health insurance from an employer or other entity can use the exchange to enroll in coverage. Through the ConnectorCare program, income-qualifying residents can access coverage that includes low-cost premiums and co-pays, and no deductibles. Access to health coverage for individuals and small businesses can be found at the Health Connector’s website, MAhealthconnector.org.
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