Much higher premiums tied to plan choices even for the very poor
Bad news from the Connector at yesterday's board meeting. Since the Connector started offering coverage in 2006, its enrollees below the poverty level, like MassHealth enrollees, have been able to choose from any available managed care organization (MCO) with no premium charge. No more. People at all income levels will still have access to at least one "affordable" MCO -- for people below 150% FPL, affordable means no member premium contribution--but other choices may mean substantially higher premiums.