Massachusetts Health Insurance
Health Plans in Massachusetts
Unlike other states, Massachusetts has a mandatory law that every individual over the age of 18 must carry health insurance. Under the “individual mandate” which states that every resident of Massachusetts must obtain a state-government-regulated minimum level of health care insurance. This coverage provides free health care insurance for residents earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level who are not eligible for Medicaid.
For those who can afford a more comprehensive plan, it is recommended that you shop around at different health insurance companies within Massachusetts to see which deals are best suited for you and your needs. One of the best tools to utilize is the internet. When researching for different health insurance plans, you need to be informed of what types of coverage you need. Having a better understanding of what is offered lets you pick and choose which insurer to go with. An easy way to get started is by entering your zip code below. By doing so, you can gather several health insurance quotes and compare them to see which plans are at your price point. It is a really fast way to help you with the health insurance purchasing/switching process.
Minimum Creditable Coverage Health Plan Standards for Massachusetts:
- Covers prescription drugs (may have deductible of up to $250 per individual/$500 per family)
- Covers regular doctor visits and check-ups before any deductible
- Caps the annual deductible at $2,000 for an individual or $4,000 for a family
- If you have a deductible or co-insurance on core services, caps out-of-pocket spending for health services at $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for a family each year
- Does not cap total benefits for a sickness for each year and spending for a day in the hospital
Health Plans in Massachusetts:
- A Young Adult Health Plan offered through the Health Connector
- A High Deductible Health Plan that meets federal requirements for a Health Savings Account
- A Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Plan
- A Medicare plan
- A Medicaid plan
- A Tricare plan
- A medical care program of the Indian Health Service or of a tribal organization;
- A state health benefits risk pool
- A health plan offered under 5 U.S.C. 8
- A public health plan as defined in federal regulations authorized by the Public Health Service Act
- A health benefit plan under the Peace Corps Act
- Any other qualifying coverage required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as it is amended
Health Plans in Massachusetts:
Medical/Indemnity Plans (Open Choice or Open Network Plans): These plans may cover hospital and medical expenses for an accident or illness. It may also cover preventive care. These plans typically cover a fixed percentage of any covered cost.
Health Maintenance Organizations (Closed Network Plans): These plans cover hospital, medical, and preventive care. You are only covered if you get the care through a specific network of providers.
Preferred Provider Plans (Different Levels of Benefits from Preferred Providers): These plans typically cover hospital, medical and preventive care. PPOs have a network of preferred providers, but they also cover services from out-of-network providers.
Sources:
Massachusetts Government: Health Insurance
Wiki: Massachusetts Health Care Reform
