An estimated 50,000 people were newly eligible for ConnectorCare health insurance on Monday. The state advertises the health plan as having “$0 or low monthly premiums, low copays, and no deductibles.”
The board of directors of the Massachusetts Health Connector unanimously approved regulatory changes required for the $56 billion 2024 state budget signed last week by Gov. Maura Healy to expand access to low-cost insurance programs.
Lawmakers budgeted for a two-year pilot program that would increase the income limit for ConnectorCare from 300% to 500% of the federal poverty level. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, an individual earning 500% of the federal poverty level earns $72,900 a year, and a family of four earns $150,000.
Massachusetts Health Connector executive director Audrey Morse Gasteer said newly qualified individuals could earn up to $4,000 each year by participating in currently available programs as they approach their new limits. said it could save 100,000 people on medical costs.
Gasteyer said on Monday it was the first time the state has expanded state-level subsidy support to residents since the Connector was created in 2006.
“Connector’s mission, of course, is to make healthcare as affordable as possible for as many people as possible,” said Gasteier. “And this mission is especially important right now for two reasons. And two more: The affordability of health care is putting more pressure on household budgets than ever before, threatening access to health care and financial security.”
The pilot could offer a new option for some Gulf residents who lost their mass health insurance amid a major year-long campaign to cut subscribers for the first time since the pandemic began. . Officials estimate that the redetermination process could reduce MassHealth’s enrollment of up to 400,000 people, who will need to be insured elsewhere.
Gastyre said the estimated 50,000 newly eligible bay starters is a fluctuating target as the redetermination process unfolds throughout the year.
To be eligible for ConnectorCare insurance, residents must not have access to affordable employer-provided insurance, he said.
The pilot program will start on January 1, 2024.
Health Connector general counsel Andrew Egan said there wasn’t enough time for the normal regulatory change process because of the urgency of the January start date.
“We need to start deciding on programs that go into effect January 1st of this month, actually tomorrow,” Egan said.
This regulatory change has been approved urgently and over the next three months HealthConnector will hold public hearings on the amendment and the change will be brought back to the Board for additional vote.
