ConnectorCare

In this set of Frequently Asked Questions CMS addresses the interaction between Medicare and new low cost insurance available for purchase through state or federal Marketplaces (also known as Exchanges). In Massachusetts we have a state based Marketplace/Exchange called the Health Insurance…

Memo from the Health Connector reminding colleges and universities that under the Jan 2014 Student Health Insurance rules, the following programs are comparable coverage and eligible for a waiver of the school's student health insurance plan: Commonwealth Care, ConnectorCare, MassHealth (except…

The Commonwealth Care program was slated to end Dec. 31, 2013 with its enrollees transitioning into new coverage on Jan. 1, 2014. However, the transition did not go as planned. Commonwealth Care has been extended into June 2014. This document summarizes the situation as of February 2014. UPDATE:…

Guidance in Q & A format on Jan. 2014 rule changes affecting the Student Health Insurance Program including the required scope of benefits, when colleges & universities must waive the requirement for students to obtain the student health plan for students with comparable coverage, and…

Commonwealth Care has been extended until March 31st, 2014.  Fact Sheet describes new enrollment opportunities for Commonwealth Care members looking to re-enroll into ConnectorCare. UPDATE: Comm. Care extended to June 30, 2014

Regulations on Affordability, Individual Mandate, Commonwealth Care and Commonwealth Choice, etc. 

In its Weekly email update to the MassHealth Enrollment Centers, the MassHealth Training Unit confirms that specialty workers with an H1B visa status & their H4 dependants are considered Permanently Residing Under Color of Law/Lawfully Present for purposes of MassHealth &…

In a unanimous decision, the SJC ruled that a 2009 state law excluding certain legal immigrants from eligibility for Commonwealth Care was unconstitutional. Finch II, 461 Mass. 232 (2012).  In an earlier ruling , the court found that the state law  was subject to strict scrutiny under…

In a wonderful victory for legal immigrants, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the state law excluding legal immigrants ineligible for federal Medicaid reimbursement from the Commonwealth Care program is subject to strict scrutiny under the equal protection provisions of…

Attached is Health Law Advocates's complaint challenging on equal protection grounds state law dropping nonfederally eligible immigrants from Commonwealth Care in FY 2010. More information about the case can be found on the Health Law Advocates website (see link below). (Note…

Powerpoint presentation by Connector legal staff at Jan. 09 board meeting with stats. on hardship appeals from individual mandate penalties in 2007 --2/3 of appeals were dismissed on procedural grounds; but 3/4 of those making it to review were approved. Also stats. on Commonwealth Care appeals.

MLRI has prepared a flyer on the MassHealth Breast & Cervical Cancer program --more affordable and comprehensive benefits for uninsured women AND women on Commonwealth Care or MassHealth Essential

Advocates and outreach workers have been inundated with the curious phenomenon known as the Commonwealth Care "Exception Letter".  In response to many questions and concerns about the correct use of these letters the Connector Authority has put out the attached Q&A.The first…

July 2008 Changes in Commonwealth Care Premium and copayment increases --analysis and advocacy tips

Notice from the Connector of a public hearing on Feb 4, 2008 on proposed changes to the 6.00 affordability regulations and the 3.00 eligibility & hearing regulations.

Approximately 45,000 Health Safety Net enrollees who have been determined eligible for the Commonwealth Care Program will receive this notice, terminating their HSN coverage sometime in December 2007.

Pursuant to 956 CMR 3.18, the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority (the “Connector”) is issuing this administrative information bulletin (“Bulletin”) to clarify procedures for the Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Program (“Commonwealth Care”). The…

A worksheet developed by the Health Insurance Connector to give people an idea whether insurance will be deemed affordable to them under the Individual Mandate. An interactive version of this worksheet and a Spanish version are posted at www.mahealthconnector.org.

Article by MLRI's Vicky Pulos on the Massachusetts Health Reform Law published in April 2007 edition of Clearinghouse Review/Poverty Law Reporter

Legal Services comments on "Eligilibility and Hearing Process for Commonwealth Care" as well as "Affordability Schedule" for Chapter 58 individual mandate generally

Regulations governing the Connector Authority's implementation of the new Commonwealth Care Program, eligibility and hearings

This January 2007 memo outlines new coverage options for people under 300% of the poverty level under the 2006 health reform law including Commonwealth Care for uninsured adults and expanded Family Assistance for children.