Press Release - Massachusetts Health Connector

Massachusetts Health Connector offers extended enrollment for uninsured individuals to ease coronavirus fears

On March 30, the special enrollment deadline was extended an additional month to May 25, 2020. Learn more → BOSTON – March 11, 2020 – To ensure everyone who wants access to covered coronavirus services has it, the Massachusetts Health Connector announced today that uninsured residents can apply and get into coverage through a 45-day window running until April 25. On March 6, the Division of Insurance announced that Massachusetts health insurers are now required to cover the cost of testing and treatment for members who may be affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19), including not charging co-pays or deductibles for those services. The Health Connector’s decision to open enrollment to anyone without coverage ensures Massachusetts residents concerned about contracting coronavirus can access necessary services without cost barriers. Additionally, the Health Connector will be delivering to current members information about the Division of Insurance guidance, reassuring members that coronavirus-related services are available at no cost. “The coronavirus represents a significant and growing public health threat, and the Massachusetts Health Connector is committed to making sure residents have access to testing, treatment and other related services as necessary,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “With 97 percent of residents covered, almost everyone in Massachusetts understands the ongoing value and need for coverage, but if anyone is considering signing up now, we encourage them to do.” Typically, the only time of year anyone can newly access coverage is during Open Enrollment, which runs from November through January. However, because of [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector Open Enrollment Continues through January 23, Offering High-Quality and Affordable Coverage to Residents

BOSTON – December 9, 2019 – Open Enrollment for health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector continues through January 23, 2020, providing residents time to find affordable coverage that delivers a wide range of benefits to make it easier and less costly to get health care. Uninsured residents have until December 23 to apply, pick a plan and make a payment in order to have coverage starting January 1, and they have until January 23 to apply for coverage starting February 1. In contrast, Open Enrollment in other states served through the federal marketplace ends as early as December 15. “As a state-based exchange, we extend our Open Enrollment deadline to provide our residents with ample time to apply and enroll in high-quality coverage,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Massachusetts leads the nation with 97 percent of residents insured, but now is the time for people without coverage to sign up as we work to get to 100 percent and ensure everyone has access to quality health care.” The Health Connector provides some of the lowest premiums of any exchange in the country for people who need coverage, with a broad range of plans to help members find the best fit for their health care needs. Low-income residents have access to affordable coverage through the ConnectorCare program, with subsidized premiums, low co-pays and no deductibles. In the first five weeks of Open Enrollment, 288,000 people were enrolled in new or continued health coverage for 2020. [...]

Open Enrollment begins through Massachusetts Health Connector

BOSTON – Nov. 1, 2019 – The Massachusetts Health Connector started Open Enrollment this morning, making affordable coverage available to anyone in Massachusetts without health insurance, including lower-income people who can take advantage of low premiums and co-pays through the ConnectorCare program. The Health Connector is Massachusetts’ state-based health insurance exchange, and provides health insurance to residents who do not get coverage through their employer. More than 97 percent of Massachusetts residents have health insurance, a result of the state’s 13-year old law which sought to ensure everyone in the Commonwealth has coverage. Nearly 290,000 people in Massachusetts get their health insurance through the Health Connector, and about three-quarters of those members are in ConnectorCare, benefitting from both state and federal subsidies to help make premiums and cost-sharing more affordable. For those shopping without financial assistance, the Health Connector year-over-year offers the lowest rates of any exchange in the nation. “Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in health insurance coverage, but we remain focused on getting to 100 percent – getting everyone covered,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Open Enrollment is the best time for people without coverage to get it, and we are ready to offer a stable and supportive experience to people looking for insurance.” Open Enrollment starts today and runs through Jan. 23, 2020. Not only can residents sign up for new coverage, but current Health Connector members can review their options and select a new plan if they choose [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector Selects Faneuil to Strengthen Customer Service for its 300,000 Members

BOSTON – Aug. 21, 2019 – The Massachusetts Health Connector has selected Faneuil as its new customer service vendor due to its extensive experience in supporting state-based exchanges and demonstrated ability to improve existing communication channels and create new platforms for customer interaction. Starting in June 2020, Faneuil will operate the Health Connector’s contact center and walk-in locations and deliver new ways for the Health Connector’s more than 300,000 health and dental insurance members to get information and help about their coverage. “Our top priority is delivering accurate information and support to our members in the way most convenient to them, to ensure they have the access to affordable coverage they deserve,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “We are looking forward to working with Faneuil and delivering high-quality customer service to our members.” “The Massachusetts Health Connector is considered a trailblazer and leader in health care reform by insuring nearly 98 percent of state residents,” said Faneuil President and Chief Executive Officer Anna Van Buren. “We are honored to partner with Massachusetts Health Connector and welcome the opportunity to serve its customers by increasing the communication channels available to customers and leveraging our many years of expertise supporting state-based exchanges.” The Health Connector handles more than 1 million phone calls year, and walk-in centers in Boston, Worcester, Springfield and Brockton provide in-person support to nearly 83,000 visitors per year. Faneuil will take over operations of the contact center and walk-in centers, bringing along [...]

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Health Connector for Business Kickoff Small Business Week with Partnership to Better Empower Small Businesses to Access Affordable Health Insurance

BOSTON – May 6, 2019 – Working to empower small businesses to access affordable health insurance for employees, the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) kicks off National Small Business Week by announcing a new partnership with the Health Connector for Business that delivers cost-saving opportunities to employers and health care insurance choice to employees. Through the partnership, GBCC small-business members (employers with less than 50 employees) will be able to create and manage accounts online and have direct access to support through customer service. In addition, health insurance brokers who are GBCC members will be connected to those small-business members to maximize the benefits of the platform. “Small businesses make up more than half of our Greater Boston Chamber membership, and we know that the rising costs of doing business can seriously impact their ability to succeed and grow,” said James E. Rooney, president and CEO of the GBCC. “We’re thrilled to partner with Health Connector for Business on an initiative that provides our small businesses and their employees with more health insurance options at more affordable rates.” “We are excited to enter into this partnership with the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and are committed to helping empower more small businesses access affordable health insurance,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Health Connector for Business can provide cost savings to small businesses, while delivering to employees unique choice opportunities they previously were unable to access.” Through the new partnership, Greater Boston Chamber of [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector Selects Softheon to Modernize Billing and Payment Operations with Members, and Enrollment Data Transfer to Carriers

BOSTON – April 11, 2019 – Continuing to modernize and automate customer and carrier operations, the Massachusetts Health Connector Board of Directors today approved a five-year contract with Softheon, which will deliver new payment options for members while maintaining consistent enrollment information transfer to carriers. Starting in June 2020, members will be able to pay their monthly premiums by using a debit card, credit card or automated phone system fulfilling a long-time request from members for a wider variety of payment options. Softheon will also develop state-of-the-art billing and notice-delivery processes for the Health Connector. “Our goal as an agency is to deliver to our members high-quality, efficient customer service that supports a broader variety of consumer needs,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “We are looking forward to the work with Softheon, so as to improve services for members and carriers.” “Softheon is truly honored to partner with the Health Connector in their mission to serve the citizens of Massachusetts,” said Eugene Sayan, Founder & CEO of Softheon. “As the health care industry embraces the digital transformation, we are committed to making health care affordable, accessible, and plentiful for all Americans.” The contract for Softheon includes configuring their systems and connecting them to existing operations by June 2020, and four years of running the Health Connector’s enrollment and billing operations. The five-year contract, which includes the creation of a new member portal, is valued at $60 million, along with potentially two, two-year extensions at [...]

Massachusetts residents have until Dec. 23 to get covered and #StayCovered for Jan. 1, 2019, coverage

BOSTON – December 10, 2018 – Massachusetts residents who do not have health insurance or need to take action to #StayCovered have until Dec. 23 to enroll or renew coverage through the Massachusetts Health Connector, which holds Open Enrollment longer than the federal government. Open Enrollment in Massachusetts extends through Jan. 23 in Massachusetts, for those who obtain coverage starting in February 2019. Massachusetts residents can go to MAhealthconnector.org to apply and pick a plan. “Dec. 23 is an important deadline for people in Massachusetts who need to get covered or stay covered for the start of the New Year, and we want people to know they have an extra week compared to the federal deadline” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “We want everyone in Massachusetts to have access to affordable health care, and we want to extend every opportunity for residents to sign up or maintain their coverage.” As of Dec. 3, more than 261,000 were already enrolled for coverage starting Jan. 1, 2019. Members or applicants who need help finding coverage for next year can go to the Health Connector website and find a local organization with trained assisters who can help. Included are 16 Navigator organizations across the state, who have 94 individuals available to help, providing assistance in 15 languages. Along with reaching out to the state’s uninsured population through a series of community-based outreach and marketing efforts, the Health Connector is also encouraging people who already have insurance to [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector Open Enrollment Encourages Uninsured to Sign up, and Urges Everyone to #StayCovered

The Massachusetts Health Connector starts Open Enrollment on Nov. 1 with affordable, high-quality plans available to the state’s uninsured residents, and a #StayCovered campaign reminding everyone in the Commonwealth of the need to stay insured through the state’s individual mandate. Open Enrollment in Massachusetts runs Nov. 1 through Jan. 23, 2019, and is the time of year anyone without health insurance can sign up for coverage, and when Health Connector members can shop for the best plan for the New Year. The Health Connector will offer 57 plans from nine carriers. In addition to getting people who need coverage into plans for 2019, the Health Connector is also reminding people who already have health insurance that the state’s individual mandate remains in place. Residents who do not have health insurance that meets state standards may face a tax penalty if they do not #StayCovered. “Massachusetts is a leader in health care access and affordability because throughout the Commonwealth people recognize the need and importance of having health insurance, and financial and health benefits that come with being covered,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Throughout Open Enrollment we will provide a stable experience to people who are signing up for coverage, while also making sure people who already have health insurance maintain coverage in 2019.” Massachusetts has the highest insured rate in the nation, with 97 percent of all residents covered. According to data from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Health [...]

Massachusetts Health Connector to provide premium waivers to residents and businesses in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover impacted by Columbia Gas incident

LAWRENCE – September 24, 2018 – To ensure residents impacted by the Columbia Gas incident on Sept. 13 are assured continued health insurance coverage, the Massachusetts Health Connector is expanding its existing premium hardship waiver program to members and small businesses who need assistance. The waivers, for Health Connector and Health Connector for Business members, including ConnectorCare, impacted by the incident, are available through the end of 2018, covering up to three months of premiums and coverage upon demonstrated need. “This crisis turned lives upside-down, and many people are going to be dealing with the impacts for months. Many residents need the financial reassurance that their health insurance is not in danger and they can continue to access care,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “The waiver process is straightforward for members and small businesses, and will allow them to quickly move on to other concerns while ensuring their Health Connector coverage remains in place.” There are currently about 7,500 Health Connector members who live in the three communities impacted by the Sept. 13 gas fires, along with 23 small businesses that provide coverage to employees through Health Connector for Business. Additionally, affected residents who had been in the process of getting into coverage may apply for an extension so they have more time to complete the process. To request a waiver, a member who purchases health insurance for themselves or their family through the Health Connector must contact the Health Connector’s customer service center [...]

Ready for Open Enrollment, Health Connector sets 2019 plans with lower premium increases, selects community organizations to provide in-person support to residents

Boston – September 13, 2018 – The Massachusetts Health Connector Board of Directors today approved 57 Qualified Health Plans from nine carriers for individuals and families, with new plan designs that create better value for members and premium increases that average under 5 percent from 2018. Also during today’s meeting, the Health Connector announced 16 community groups from around Massachusetts have been selected as Navigators organizations. Their staff use their experience and knowledge to help people get covered and stay covered, both during Open Enrollment and throughout the year. Finalizing the carriers and plans, and selecting Navigator organizations, are part of the process of preparing for Open Enrollment. 2019 Open Enrollment starts Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 23, 2019, and is the time when anyone without health insurance can sign up for coverage, and people with existing coverage can make changes for the New Year. “Through expanded plan offerings and an overall commitment to making health insurance more affordable, we are confident our members will have an Open Enrollment shopping experience that provides valuable options,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “One of the reasons Massachusetts remains the national leader in health care access, with 97 percent of our residents covered, is because of the great work our Navigator organizations do reaching out to their communities and sitting down directly with their clients and ensuring they have strong health insurance.” Since initiating state-based health care reform in 2006 and implementing the Affordable Care Act, [...]