Why health insurance matters
Health insurance is important for young adults—and everyone else. It helps pay for doctors’ visits, behavioral health visits, testing, medication, and hospital stays. With insurance, you can go to doctors for checkups, catch health problems early, and be financially protected in a healthcare emergency.
I recently turned 19. How can I maintain my MassHealth coverage?
If someone includes you as a dependent on their taxes: They should include you on any MassHealth renewal forms they submit, even if you also file your own taxes.
If no one includes you as a dependent on their taxes: You should submit a MassHealth application.
If you were never claimed as a dependent on anyone’s taxes, or if you do not file taxes: When you turn 19, you should submit a new MassHealth application.
If you no longer qualify for MassHealth, you may be able to get a ConnectorCare plan. You can find more information on the Massachusetts Health Connector here.
How to apply for MassHealth as an adult
To apply, you may need to provide the following information and documents.
- Proof of Massachusetts residency
- Social Security number, if you have one
- Federal tax returns, if you file
- Information about citizenship or immigration status
- Employer and income information for everyone in your household (for example, information from paystubs)
- Information about any job-related health insurance or other health insurance that you are currently enrolled in
As you become an adult, your benefits may change. Below are short descriptions of MassHealth plans and other benefit plans you may be able to get as an adult.
MassHealth Standard: This coverage offers a full range of health care benefits.
CarePlus: MassHealth CarePlus offers a broad range of healthcare benefits to adults who can’t get MassHealth Standard.
CommonHealth: MassHealth CommonHealth offers health care benefits like those of MassHealth Standard to certain disabled adults and disabled children who cannot get MassHealth Standard.
Apply for MassHealth to see if you qualify for these plans.
ConnectorCare - The Massachusetts Health Connector is a health insurance marketplace that makes shopping for affordable health and dental coverage easier for people, families, and small businesses in Massachusetts. For more information on applying for ConnectorCare plan through the Health Connector, visit the Massachusetts Health Connector.
You may also be able to get health insurance from your work, get it from a parent’s plan if you are under 26, or purchase it from a private company.
You can find more information here about MassHealth and how to apply. You can also call us at (800) 841-2900, TDD/TTY: 711. Or you can go here to find someone near you who can help.
If you need help understanding your MassHealth coverage, contact My Ombudsman. Free support is available in several languages.
Need help applying? Find an Enrollment Assister near you.
Are you pregnant? Check out our pregnancy webpage.
Are you homeless? More resources are available here.
Contact
MassHealth Customer Service Center
Phone
Main: (800) 841-2900
TDD/TTY: 711
Self-service is available 24 hours a day in English and Spanish. Other services are available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Interpreter service is available during those hours.