Massachusetts: 2020 Open Enrollment Health Connector Day One Update

via the Massachusetts Health Connector:

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 for 2020. For people wanting a plan starting Jan. 1, 2020, for the New Year, the deadline to complete an application, pick a plan and make a payment is Dec. 23. Members and new applicants can take action at MAhealthconnector.org.

In time for Open Enrollment, the Health Connector added new functions this year that will help make it easier than ever before for residents to apply for coverage, maintain their account, or select a plan.

• The Health Connector’s website, MAhealthconnector.org, has been upgraded for mobile platforms. Many Health Connector members do not have ready access to a computer, and the upgraded platform will make it easier for members to navigate with a phone or tablet.

• Applicants and members are often asked to provide documentation to verify eligibility in their application or account. A new document upload feature makes it easy for users to send in those documents and keep their information up-to-date and accurate.

• A new total-cost calculator is available to unsubsidized members for the first time, in response to member feedback. This tool will help users better understand potential spending over the course of year beyond their premiums, which will help make it easier for them to select the best plan for their needs.

For 2020, the Health Connector offers 56 plans from nine carriers, a product shelf nearly identical to 2019. For members and applicants who want help picking a plan, the Health Connector provides in-person assistance members at more than 30 locations. Below is a list of Navigators and Health Connector walk-in centers. People can find more detail, and find more than 1,500 Certified Application Counselors across the state here.

Metro Boston

• Boston
  • Health Connector Walk-in Center (133 Portland St.)
    • Boston Public Health Commission (1010 Mass. Ave.)
• Cambridge
  • Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (11 Inman St.)
• Everett
  • Joint Committee for Children’s Health Care (City Hall, 484 Broadway)

North Shore/Merrimack Valley

• Gloucester
  • Fishing Partnership (2 Blackburn Center)
• Lawrence
  • Greater Lawrence Community Action Council (305 Essex St.)

South Shore

• Brockton
  • Health Connector Walk-in Center (Neighborhood Health Center, 63 Main St.)
• Hull
  • Manet Community Health Center (180 George Washington Blvd.)
• Plymouth
  • Fishing Partnership (139 Court St.)
• Quincy
  • Manet Community Health Center (110W Squantum St.)

SouthCoast

• Fall River
  • HealthFirst Family Care Center (387 Quarry St.)
• New Bedford
  • PACE (166 William St.)
    • Fishing Partnership (38 Bethel St.)
• Taunton
  • Manet Community Health Center (1 Washington St.)

Cape Cod and the Islands

• Chatham
  • Fishing Partnership (880 Main St.)
• Hyannis
  • Community Action Committee of Cape Cod and Islands (372 North St.)
• Vineyard Haven
  • Vineyard Health Care Access (114 New York Ave.)

Central Mass./MetroWest

• Framingham
  • Edward M. Kennedy Health Center (354 Waverly St.)
• Milford
  • Edward M. Kennedy Health Center (42 Cape Road)
• Southbridge
  • Family Health Center (32 Orchard St.)
• Worcester
  • Health Connector Walk-in Center (146 Main St.)
  • Edward M. Kennedy Health Center (19 Tacoma)
  • Family Health Center of Worcester (26 Queen St. and 162 Chandler St.)

Western Mass.

• Amherst
  • Hilltown Community Health Center (70 Boltwood Walk)
• Greenfield
  • Community Health Center of Franklin County (102 Main St.)
• North Adams
  • Ecu-Health Care (99 Hospital Ave.)
• Springfield
  • Health Connector Walk-in Center (MassHealth Enrollment Center, 88 Industrial Ave.)
  • Caring Health Center (1049 Main St. and 532 Sumner Ave.)
• Worthington
  • Hilltown Community Health Center (58 Old North Road)