Health Care Policies in Massachusetts

Health care policies in Massachusetts are governed by a state law that requires each resident of the state to have a minimum level of health insurance coverage. Residents who cannot afford insurance are covered by a public plan.

Identification

• Massachusetts passed a health care reform law in 2006 that established a state agency, the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, to manage the state's mandatory health insurance program. The program is designed to assist residents find adequate insurance, but it also establishes financial penalties for citizens who lack coverage.

Types

• The law set up a program called Commonwealth Choice, which works with private insurers to provide options to Massachusetts residents. Low-income citizens fall under the Commonwealth Care plan, a publicly managed health insurance option.

Considerations

• Employers in Massachusetts who offer company health plans must have a signed document from employees who decline coverage through the company; the document must state that they have coverage elsewhere. The penalty for non-coverage is assessed through the citizen's state income tax filing.