How to Get Massachusetts Health Insurance Benefits

The state of Massachusetts requires all residents to carry health insurance benefits, a regulation signed into law in 2005. The state will charge a penalty to those who do not meet the minimum coverage requirements. For those families and individuals who don't have access to employer-sponsored health insurance plans, there are options available that make health insurance benefits more affordable. In some instances, individuals considered low income will have access to free or low-cost health insurance.

Instructions

• 1

  Contact the Massachusetts Health Connector by calling 1-877-MA-ENROLL or visiting its website at www.mahealthconnector.org. Depending on family circumstances and income, residents have access to MassHealth, Commonwealth Care and Commonwealth Choice benefits plans. Both MassHealth and Commonwealth Care make coverage affordable for those individuals and families who meet income guidelines and who do not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance. Commonwealth Choice is more expensive, but is available to anyone who lives in Massachusetts regardless of income or access to benefits from an employer.

• 2

  Check the income eligibility requirements for MassHealth and Commonwealth Care if you believe that you qualify. A representative with Health Connector can help you determine if you are eligible based on your gross household income and size of your family. Examine the chart on the program's website for maximum income allowed for families of varying sizes.

• 3

  Complete a MassHealth application for yourself, your spouse and your dependents if you want to sign up for benefits through either MassHealth or Commonwealth Care. Download the MassHealth application from the Health Connector website or request to have an application mailed to you by calling the Health Connector directly. MassHealth processes applications for both MassHealth and Commonwealth Care and both programs use the same application. Once MassHealth receives the completed application and supporting financial documents, it will determine the program for which you qualify. Because Commonwealth Care only covers adults, the state will approve benefits coverage for children under MassHealth.

• 4

  Browse the Commonwealth Choice insurance options if you are not eligible for a subsidized policy. Commonwealth Choice policies all meet the state's minimum insurance requirements and are offered by major insurers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and Tufts Health Plan. Compare polices at the Health Connector website. Fill in your zip code, family size and dates of birth for you and your spouse, and the Health Connector will connect you with policy details and rates that are available. The Health Connector website breaks down the policies into three categories based on cost and out-of-pocket expenses at the time of treatment. You can choose to view only the policies that fall into the category of coverage you are interested in, or view all of your coverage options.