The right plan. The right time.

If you need health or dental insurance, you may qualify for coverage through the Health Connector if you’ve recently lost coverage from another source, such as a job or Medicaid. Apply today and get covered.

ENROLLMENT DEADLINES

Enrollment Deadline Coverage Start Date
June 23, 2026 July 1, 2026
July 23, 2026 August 1, 2026
August 23, 2026 September 1, 2026

Welcome to the Massachusetts Health Connector

If you need health or dental insurance, you may qualify for coverage through the Health Connector if you experience a qualifying life event, like losing insurance from a job, that may allow you to get coverage now.

The Health Connector is here to help you access affordable, high-quality health coverage when you need it most. Many individuals and families qualify for a premium tax credit that helps lower the cost of monthly premiums. Through programs like ConnectorCare, qualifying people can find coverage with low premiums and reduced out-of-pocket costs, making it easier to manage health care expenses.

Get a Quick Quote

Ready to get started?

If you are applying with the Health Connector for the first time, here’s the steps you need to take to apply and enroll.

STEP 1: Get the information you'll need

Find out what information you may need to have on hand, below, to fill out your application. Not sure about how much plan premiums may cost? Use the Get an Estimate tool to find out.

STEP 2: Apply for coverage

Complete all of the required information to find out what type of coverage or savings you qualify for, like tax credits, a ConnectorCare plan, or MassHealth.

STEP 3: Shop and compare plans

If you qualify for a Health Connector or ConnectorCare plan, you can use our shopping guides and provider search tool to help find a quality health and dental plan to meet your needs and budget.

STEP 4: Make a payment

Once you choose a plan, you must make your first premium payment by the deadline for your coverage to start. You can pay online, by phone, or by mail.

You’re Enrolled!

Congratulations! You can expect a welcome packet from your insurer that includes your member ID cards. Here are some tips to help get you started with your new coverage.

Information you may need before you start your application

It will be helpful to have some of this information ready to look at as you fill out your application. Also, you may be asked to send us copies of some of these documents or others if we need more proof from you after you complete your application.

Can you get help paying for health insurance through the Health Connector?

You may qualify if you:

  • Shop through the Health Connector

  • Live in Massachusetts
  • Are a U.S. citizen, national, or are otherwise lawfully present in the U.S.
  • Have a qualifying income level for your family size.
    Note: For 2026 ConnectorCare plans, the qualifying income level is 100% to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or or lower (see chart below)

You won’t be able to qualify if you:

  • Already get coverage through Medicare, MassHealth (Medicaid), or other public health insurance programs

  • Are in jail or prison at this time

  • Are offered affordable, comprehensive health insurance from an employer (even if you aren’t enrolled)

    Note: If the cost of your employer’s health insurance plan is more than 9.96% of your household’s 2026 income, then that coverage is not considered affordable.

FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL (FPL)  GUIDELINES

Note: The 2025 FPL guidelines are used for 2026 Health Connector coverage eligibility

Household Size 100% 133% 150% 200% 250% 300% 350% 400%
1 $15,650.00 $20,814.50 $23,475.00 $31,300.00 $39,125.00 $46,950.00 $54,775.00 $62,600.00
2 $21,150.00 $28,129.50 $31,725.00 $42,300.00 $52,875.00 $63,450.00 $74,025.00 $84,600.00
3 $26,650.00 $35,444.50 $39,975.00 $53,300.00 $66,625.00 $79,950.00 $93,275.00 $106,600.00
4 $32,150.00 $42,759.50 $48,225.00 $64,300.00 $80,375.00 $96,450.00 $112,525.00 $128,600.00
5 $37,650.00 $50,074.50 $56,475.00 $75,300.00 $94,125.00 $112,950.00 $131,775.00 $150,600.00
6 $43,150.00 $57,389.50 $64,725.00 $86,300.00 $107,875.00 $129,450.00 $151,025.00 $172,600.00
7 $48,650.00 $64,704.50 $72,975.00 $97,300.00 $121,625.00 $145,950.00 $170,275.00 $194,600.00
8 $54,150.00 $72,019.50 $81,225.00 $108,300.00 $135,375.00 $162,450.00 $189,525.00 $216,600.00
For each additional person, add $5,500.00 $7,315.00 $8,250.00 $11,000.00 $13,750.00 $16,500.00 $19,250.00 $22,000.00

.

*Use the “Get an Estimate” tool and preview what programs and savings you may qualify for.

If you meet these requirements, you may be able to get help paying for health insurance. Find out more about help paying costs now →

You may need the following information and documents:

  • Social Security numbers for all people who are applying (if they have one).

  • Immigration documents for all non-U.S. citizens who are applying (if they have one). Find more information about immigration documents →

  • A copy of your federal tax return from last year. If you did not file taxes last year, or your income has changed since last year, have information about your current income ready (such as recent pay stubs or an unemployment award letter).

  • Home address or mailing address (if applicable) for everyone in your household who needs insurance, unless they are homeless.

  • If you are found eligible for coverage through the Health Connector and you plan to make a payment online, you will need your banking institution routing number and account number for either your checking or savings account (if you have a premium).

  • If you are found eligible for coverage through the Health Connector and you plan to make a payment by mail or in-person, you will need a personal check or money order to make a payment for your first month’s premium (if you have one).

  • If your employer offers health insurance, ask your employer these questions:

  • Do any of the health plans that the employer offers meet the minimum value standard?
  • What is the employee contribution to the lowest-cost health plan offered by your employer for an individual?
    • How often?
      • Weekly
      • Every 2 weeks
      • Twice a month
      • Monthly

People you can include on your application

Your eligibility determination depends upon your household size, income, and other factors that you will provide during the application process. When applying for coverage, tell us about all the household members who live with you. If you file taxes, we need to know about everyone on your tax return. You do not need to file taxes to get MassHealth, the Health Safety Net, or the Children’s Medical Security Plan, if you qualify.

DO include

  • Yourself and your spouse (if married)
  • Your natural, adoptive, or step children younger than age 19
  • Your unmarried partner who lives with you if you have children together who are younger than age 19
  • Your unmarried partner’s children who live with you and who are younger than age 19, if you also include this 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 younger than age 19 who you live with and take care of

DO NOT include

  • Your unmarried partner, unless you have children together
  • Your unmarried partner’s children, unless they live with you or your unmarried partner included them on his or her tax return
  • Your parents whom you live with if your parents file their own taxes and do not claim you as tax dependent (if you are age 19 or older)
  • Other adult relatives whom you do not claim as tax dependents

The amount of help or type of program you may qualify for depends on the number of people in your household and their incomes. This information helps us make sure everyone gets the coverage they may be eligible for. Complete the required application information for yourself and all additional household members who live with you, or anyone on your same federal income tax return if you file one. If you do not file a tax return, remember to still add household members who live with you.

Start your application now

PLANS OFFERED THROUGH THE HEALTH CONNECTOR

Health New England logo
Mass General Brigham Health Plan Logo
Tufts Health Plan logo
UnitedHealthcare logo
WellSense Health Plan logo
Altus Dental Logo
Blue Cross Blue Shield logo
Delta Dental logo
Fallon Health logo
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care logo

Frequently Asked Questions

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:

__________

[1] See Tax Treatment of Cafeteria Plans on IRS.gov: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-regs/td8921.pdf 

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.

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 is 9.02% 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.

If you get health coverage through the Health Connector already, be sure to report your income change so that your account is up to date. If your income has dropped, you may be able to qualify for lower-cost health insurance. You can find detailed instructions for updating your income on our website, including information about how to enter any unemployment income you may have.

If you don’t have health insurance, or if you have health insurance that you bought somewhere other than the Health Connector, now is a good time to look at your options to see if you can find a more affordable plan. Apply now →

If you lose your employer health coverage because you leave a job or are working fewer hours, you may be offered COBRA. If you decide to take COBRA, you will be able to stay covered through the health insurance benefits that you had through your employer for a limited period of time. However, you may need to pay your entire plan premium, up to 102 percent of the cost to the plan. This means the plan will likely be much more expensive than what you were paying when your employer was contributing to the cost. In addition to COBRA, you may be offered other options to continue your health coverage through your job, such as MiniCOBRA for smaller businesses or temporary continuation and conversion coverage.

Before making a decision about continuing your current benefits, you may want to try applying through the Health Connector to see if you qualify for a more affordable coverage option. After you apply, you will be able to see the available health plans and their costs and check to see which doctors and hospitals are in plan networks before you decide to enroll. People who are over age 65 or who have disabilities may also want to explore Medicare to see if that is a better option.

When you apply online, you will be able to find out right away if you qualify for benefits and financial help through the Health Connector or through MassHealth (Medicaid).

Most people who apply find that they qualify for some form of help paying for their health insurance. Many people can qualify for a low-cost ConnectorCare plan through the Health Connector. ConnectorCare plans have $0 or low-monthly costs, no deductible, and low out-of-pocket costs for services like doctor visits. Even if your income is too high for a ConnectorCare plan, you may still be able to get help paying for health insurance. There are tax credits that can help lower the cost of your plan.

If you decide to take COBRA , you may be able to take advantage of the Health Care Tax Credit administered by the IRS if you have qualifying coverage. The Health Care Tax Credit is different from the Advance Premium Tax Credits you can get through the Health Connector. You cannot get financial help through the Health Connector if you decide to take COBRA.

Be sure to pay close attention to information from your employer about when your health coverage ends so that you can plan ahead with as little of a gap in coverage as possible. Health Connector plans always start on the 1st of the month. You will need to apply, choose a plan, and complete your enrollment by the 23rd of the month for your Health Connector plan to start the following month. For example, if you want to enroll for May 1, you would need to apply and enroll by April 23.

If you have a gap before your coverage starts, you may be covered for health care you receive at certain hospitals and community health centers through the Health Safety Net. Your eligibility letter will tell you if you are automatically eligible for the Health Safety Net because of your income. People who do not automatically qualify for Health Safety Net may still be able to get their hospital and community health center care covered if the care is costly. Learn more here →

If you want to get health coverage through the Health Connector, you will have 60 days from the date that your employer health plan ends to enroll. However, to avoid a gap in coverage, it’s best to apply as soon as possible.

Losing your employer coverage is considered a qualifying life event, which gives you a 60-day special enrollment period for enrolling outside of the Health Connector’s Open Enrollment period. Once your special enrollment period is over, you may not be able to enroll through the Health Connector again until the next Open Enrollment period.

If you are offered COBRA through your employer, you typically have 60 days to decide if you want to enroll. However, in response to the coronavirus health crisis, this time period has been temporarily extended. Please visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s FAQs to find out how the temporary extension may impact you.

If there were other people enrolled with you in your job-based plan, such as family members, not everyone will have to make the same decision. For example, some household members could choose COBRA while others could enroll through the Health Connector.

If you enroll in COBRA, you may end up missing your earliest opportunity to enroll through the Health Connector. This is why it’s important that you weigh your options before choosing COBRA. If you wait longer than 60 days from the end of your employer health coverage, you may have to wait until the next Health Connector Open Enrollment period to enroll. If you’re interested in Health Connector coverage, it’s best to apply before you make a decision about COBRA.

COBRA usually covers people after a job loss for up to 18 months. If you’ve already enrolled with COBRA and are at the end of your COBRA coverage, this would be considered another qualifying event and would give you another 60-day special enrollment period through the Health Connector. However, if your COBRA ends early because you stopped paying your premium, this would not be considered a qualifying event. If you are still within your 60-day special enrollment period that started after you lost your employer coverage, you can end COBRA early and enroll with the Health Connector.

You can find more information about applying in our Getting Started Guide.  Please call us at 1-877-623-6765 (TTY 711) if you have questions or need help.

Even if you’ve been furloughed, if your employer offers you health coverage that is considered affordable, you won’t be able to get a health plan with financial help through the Health Connector.

Affordability of a plan is based on the cost of the plan as a percentage (part) of your income. If your income is lower now because you’ve been furloughed, the plan may not be considered affordable to you now, even if it was in the past. You can enter information about your current income and your employer health plan in our online tool to check to see if the plan is currently considered affordable by law.

If your employer is no longer offering health coverage, or if the plan offered through your job is not considered affordable, you may be able to get financial help through the Health Connector. This is true whether or not you are furloughed.

If you decide to end the health plan from your job and enroll through the Health Connector, please make sure to talk to your employer first. You will need to let them know about the new health plan you are enrolling in before you end your current plan.

FREE enrollment help is available!

You can 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. Or, call a state-certified Navigator where you will find enrollment experts who can help you understand your coverage options and find the most affordable coverage that meets your needs.

Find a certified enrollment expert near you →