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Massachusetts residents have many health care options to choose from. The number of options is one of the reasons Massachusetts has the lowest number of uninsured residents in the United States.
This guide provides a detailed overview of your health insurance options in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts law mandates every individual or family must have health care coverage or face financial penalties. If you don’t receive health care through your employer, you can enroll for health care using the Massachusetts Health Connector. You can do it online or by phone at 1-800-841-2900. You can also mail the application form or fax it to 617-988-8903.
When you create an account, you’ll need to provide information including:
You’ll need to provide this information for every member of your household for which you are applying for health care:
All plans carried by the Health Connector cover prescription drugs and visits to the hospital or doctor. The Health Connector allows you to compare out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, and copays. The Massachusetts Health Connector can also determine whether you’re eligible to receive tax breaks or subsidies based on your household income.
You can enroll in individual or family insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector. Since the Health Connector is an active adjuster exchange, all plans carry comprehensive benefits. You can still use any health insurance company you wish, but they may not provide the same comprehensive benefits that you’ll find through the Health Connector. Use the tools provided to compare the benefits of the plans and how it will serve your needs.
As all the individual plans on the Massachusetts’ state healthcare exchange are guaranteed issue, choosing the right plan can be tricky. It’s wise to take into account your current health situation, level of usage and precise needs for healthcare coverage when selecting a plan. For example, if you are planning to have a baby, look for plans with good maternity coverage and lower deductibles and max out of pockets.
If you are generally healthy and have low usage of insurance, look for a balance of premiums and deductibles that is affordable for you to meet in case of emergencies. Those with chronic health problems may be better off with a plan that charges a higher premium, a lower deductible, and makes it easier to see out-of-network specialists.
There are several types of private plans available to residents of Massachusetts:
The following companies offer individual affordable health insurance plans through the Massachusetts Health Connector:
When shopping for insurance for a family, you need to take the individual health concerns of each family member into consideration. If your family is healthy, you may only need an HMO. However, if one or more of your family members have a chronic health condition that requires constant care, you might be better off purchasing a PPO or a POS plan.
The Massachusetts Health Connector site can help you narrow your choices, so you can find a plan that offers the best coverage for your needs. You’ll want to take your family’s budget and ability to pay out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and coinsurance, into consideration. Pay attention to the max out of pocket, as that will act as the stop loss in case of catastrophic events.
In Massachusetts, insurance rates for couples can be based on the age of the youngest person applying for the policy. If there’s an age difference of several years between you and your partner, you may be able to save some money by applying for the same plan.
Many of the health care plans offered through the Massachusetts Health Connector are ACA compliant. The ACA plans break down into four tiers, known as the metal categories: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The categories are based on premium, deductible, and coinsurance costs.
Average premium in Massachusetts | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Most affordable Bronze plan | $380 | $358 | $343 | $347 |
Most affordable Silver plan | $506 | $470 | $445 | $407 |
Most affordable Gold plan | $510 | $464 | $435 | $522 |
Massachusetts has two plans that provide healthcare for low-income residents of Massachusetts: MassHealth (Medicaid and CHIP) and ConnectorCare. MassHealth is a joint program between Massachusetts and the federal government that provides health care to low-income Massachusetts residents and their children. ConnectorCare is a program that offers affordable health care to low- and middle-income Massachusetts residents.
Massachusetts expanded its Medicaid health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2013. As of August 2022, Massachusetts had enrolled 1,925,942 individuals in MassHealth, a net increase of 48.57%. MassHealth pays part of or all your health insurance premiums, depending on your family’s income. It also offers coverage based on your age, parent status, health conditions, HIV or cancer status, and whether you work for a small employer.
To qualify for MassHealth, you must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident and live in Massachusetts, and your financial situation must be categorized as low-income or very low-income. There are certain financial limits based on your income, your household size, and federal poverty levels. For example, a single person-household can only earn up to $18,075 per year, while a household of two can’t earn more than $24,353 per year, and households of three are limited to $30,630 per year.
You can apply for MassHealth online. You’ll need to fill out an application and provide information about your income and household size. If you’re eligible, you can find a plan that suits your budget and your health care needs.
ConnectorCare plans are known as qualified health plans (QHP’s) and offer year-round enrollment with some limitations. These plans qualify for the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits but are also subsidized by Massachusetts. This results in lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs for eligible residents. ConnectorCare plans are available to Massachusetts residents who earn up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level and can’t get affordable health care insurance through work or qualify for other public insurance plans, such as MassHealth.
Massachusetts has Medicare options available to older adults and people with disabilities.
If you’re worried about out-of-pocket costs for Original Medicare, you can purchase a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan, also known as Medigap. It can help with deductibles, copays, and coinsurance costs. Some Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans also provide coverage when you travel outside of the United States.
Eligibility
To qualify for Medicare in Massachusetts, you need to meet certain eligibility requirements. You must be 65 or older, or younger with a qualifying disability, and you must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident for at least the past five years. Applicants with certain diseases or conditions, such as end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, may also qualify at a younger age.
Enrollment
If you start receiving your Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits at least four months before you turn 65, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare. Otherwise, you must fill out an application online or contact your local Social Security office. You can enroll in Medicare during the following periods:
Medicare Resources
There are resources in Massachusetts that can help you or your caregiver find out more about your Medicare options. One option is the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Individuals with questions about their Medicare options can call the office at 1-800-243-4636.
Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE) is Massachusetts’ version of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Trained SHINE counselors can provide free, unbiased and confidential information to you or your caregiver about your Medicare options in Massachusetts. No SHINE counselors work for a health insurance company, and they will never try to sell you a plan.
No, there are no short-term health insurance plans in Massachusetts. Since health care plans in Massachusetts must follow the state’s regulations, no insurance company in the state carries short-term insurance.