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MassHealth is a health insurance program that covers over 1.8 million low-income individuals and families in Massachusetts. It's a vital safety net for those who can't afford private insurance.
MassHealth offers various plans, including MassHealth Standard, MassHealth CommonHealth, and MassHealth Limited. These plans provide different levels of coverage, with some offering more comprehensive benefits than others.
Marketplace Funding and Options
MassHealth offers several funding and insurance options to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for its members. The program is funded by a combination of state and federal funds, as well as premiums paid by members.
MassHealth offers a range of plans, including Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Health Insurance Marketplace. These plans provide comprehensive coverage for medical, dental, and vision care.
For those who are eligible, MassHealth offers a cost-sharing program that helps with copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. This can be a huge help for families or individuals who are struggling to make ends meet.
Marketplace Funding
Marketplace funding is a vital component of online marketplaces, allowing businesses to access capital for growth and development.
Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have become popular options for entrepreneurs, raising over $5 billion in funding since 2009.
Equity crowdfunding, which allows investors to purchase shares of a company, is also an option, with platforms like Seedrs and Crowdfunder offering access to £1.5 billion in funding.
Peer-to-peer lending, such as Lending Club and Funding Circle, provide an alternative to traditional bank loans, with £1.5 billion lent to small businesses in the UK alone.
Online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay offer seller financing options, allowing merchants to access capital for inventory and operational costs.
Marketplaces like Alibaba and Rakuten provide financing options for suppliers, helping them to grow their businesses and increase sales.
Subsidies
Subsidies can make private health insurance surprisingly affordable. The average insurance premium in Massachusetts is $435, but with the advanced premium tax credit, it drops to just $228.
You may be eligible for subsidies if you earn between one to four times the federal poverty level. However, this income cap was removed in 2021, and now you can pay no more than 8.5% of your annual household income on health insurance.
The federal government covers the balance of your premium through subsidies. This means you'll only pay a fraction of the cost, and the government will cover the rest.
To qualify for cost-sharing reductions, you must enroll in a silver tier plan. This discount lowers the cost of your deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
Checking a 2022 subsidy chart and calculator can help you see which subsidies you might qualify for.
Medicaid and Chip
Medicaid and CHIP are combined in Massachusetts to form MassHealth, which provides essential healthcare coverage for low-income individuals and families. Over 625,000 people in Massachusetts live in poverty, making health insurance a crucial necessity.
MassHealth offers coverage for doctor visits, prescription medications, hospital stays, and more. To be eligible, you must be a resident of the state, a U.S. national citizen or qualified noncitizen, and have a financial situation that can be categorized as low-income or very low-income.
Your income must be less than or equal to the following amounts:
For households with more than eight people, add $6,038 per additional person. As of December 2019, about 1.8 million people are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. You can apply online at MAHealthConnector.org.
In This Article
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In this Article, we'll help you make informed decisions about healthcare. We follow strict editorial standards to provide accurate and unbiased information.
Massachusetts has the lowest percentage of residents without health insurance coverage, with about 3% of its population, or over 200,000 people, going uninsured.
If you're one of the thousands of people in Massachusetts without health insurance, you'll want to learn about your options for affordable coverage.
Massachusetts stands out from other states in two key ways, making it a unique case for healthcare.
Health Insurance Details
In Massachusetts, you can sign up for health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector, the state's version of the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Marketplace. This is where you can find coverage that works for your budget.
You can choose from 12 companies that offer single and family health plans on and off the Marketplace, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO Blue, Boston Medical Center Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company.
To qualify for coverage, you must apply for a plan during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which runs from November 1 until January 23. If you miss the OEP, you may be able to sign up for a plan if you have a qualifying life event, such as getting married, having a child, losing your job, or moving to the state.
Here are the companies that offer individual health policies through the Massachusetts Health Connector:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO Blue
- Boston Medical Center Health Plan
- ConnectiCare of Massachusetts
- Fallon Community Health Plan
- Fallon Health & Life Assurance Company
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Health New England
- HPHC Insurance Company
- Tufts Associated HMO
- Tufts Health Public Plans
- Tufts Insurance Company
- UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
Prescription Advantage
Prescription Advantage provides prescription drug coverage for Massachusetts residents age 65 and older, as well as younger people with disabilities who meet income and employment guidelines.
If you're 65 or older, you're likely eligible for this coverage, which can be a huge relief for your wallet.
To qualify as a younger person with a disability, you'll need to meet specific income and employment guidelines, which vary depending on your situation.
This coverage can help you afford the medications you need to stay healthy and manage chronic conditions.
Deductibles
Deductibles can be a bit confusing, but don't worry, I've got the lowdown.
MassHealth plans don't have deductibles, which means you won't have to pay out-of-pocket for covered services before your plan kicks in.
If you're looking at Health Connector plans, be aware that deductibles are a requirement. You can find the specific deductible amounts for each plan on MAhealthconnector.org during the shopping process.
It's a good idea to compare plans carefully to understand the deductible amounts and how they might affect your healthcare costs.
Copays
If you're considering health insurance in Massachusetts, it's essential to understand copays, which are fees you pay for services or medications.
Copays are a common feature of many health insurance plans, including those offered by the Health Connector and MassHealth.
If you have a MassHealth plan, you'll have small prescription copays that differ by drug type, but you won't have copays for covered services.
Health Connector plans, on the other hand, come with copays for both prescription medications and medical visits, and the costs are outlined in the plan's benefit documents.
Here's a breakdown of copays for MassHealth and Health Connector plans:
Individual Health Policies
You can sign up for individual health policies through the Massachusetts Health Connector, the state's version of the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Marketplace. This is the same platform where you can compare plans and find coverage that works for your budget.
There are 12 companies that offer single and family health plans on and off the Marketplace, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO Blue, Boston Medical Center Health Plan, and Fallon Community Health Plan. You can find a full list of participating companies at MAHealthConnector.org.
To qualify for coverage, you must apply for a plan during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which runs from November 1 until January 23 in Massachusetts. If you miss the OEP, you may be able to sign up for a plan if you have a qualifying life event that makes you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
A SEP is a 60-day period after a qualifying event, such as getting married, having a child, losing your job, or moving to the state. You can apply for a health plan at MAHealthConnector.org.
Here's a list of some of the companies that offer individual health policies through the Massachusetts Health Connector:
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts HMO Blue
- Boston Medical Center Health Plan
- ConnectiCare of Massachusetts
- Fallon Community Health Plan
- Fallon Health & Life Assurance Company
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Health New England
- HPHC Insurance Company
- Tufts Associated HMO
- Tufts Health Public Plans
- Tufts Insurance Company
- UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of insurance is MassHealth?
MassHealth is a combined Medicaid and CHIP program that provides comprehensive health coverage to eligible individuals and families in Massachusetts. It offers a wide range of essential services, including doctor visits, prescription drugs, and hospital stays.
What is marketplace health insurance?
The Health Insurance Marketplace is a service that helps people shop for and enroll in health insurance plans. It's a platform where individuals can compare and select from various health insurance options.
Is marketplace different than Medicaid?
Marketplace and Medicaid are two separate health coverage options, with Marketplace providing private insurance through the exchange and Medicaid offering government-run coverage for those with limited incomes
Sources
- https://www.massoptions.org/massoptions/long-term-supports-and-services/masshealth-programs-and-services/
- https://www.kff.org/affordable-care-act/state-profile/state-exchange-profiles-massachusetts/
- https://www.masslegalservices.org/content/01-how-did-affordable-care-act-expand-affordable-private-insurance-coverage
- https://www.wellsense.org/en/we-got-you
- https://healthcareinsider.com/massachusetts-health-insurance-37015
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