Health Care Reform
All Massachusetts residents are required to maintain health insurance. Health care reform works to improve the cost and quality of health care.
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The Commonwealth Connector can help you learn more about the health care reform law. The Connector administers two programs: Commonwealth Care and Commonwealth Choice. Commonwealth Care connects uninsured individuals with incomes that fall within certain guidelines, and who meet other qualifications with approved health plans, and helps them pay for them. Commonwealth Choice offers private health insurance options for individuals, families and employers.
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Key provisions of the law include subsidized health insurance for residents earning less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, and low-cost insurance for all other residents who are not eligible for insurance through their employers.
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Here you will find information about the quality and cost of health care provided in Massachusetts. This site can be used as a tool to help you select a provider based on what is important to you.
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Those who cannot show that they have health insurance in 2008 will have to pay a penalty on their Massachusetts income tax return. Non-compliance penalties will increase for 2009.
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Massachusetts employers of 11 or more FTE employees must also disseminate and collect an Employee HIRD form from each employee that declines to enroll in employer-sponsored insurance or declines to use the employer's Section 125 Cafeteria Plan to pay for health insurance. The employer must retain the signed Employee HIRD for a period of three years.
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Additional information about where to get coverage, special information for young adults and senior citizens, and criteria for financial assistance.
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There are many resources to help you access health care services or get health insurance in Massachusetts. Most of these programs use income and/or age standards to determine yours or your family's eligibility. This web page provides quick, easy-to-use information to help you access health care and find out more about health care benefits.