There are no income requirements for Commonwealth Choice. Any qualifying individual or family can sign up. In fact, Massachusetts is requiring all its qualifying residents to obtain health insurance by July 1, 2007. However, if your income falls below established guidelines, you may be eligible to enroll in a Commonwealth Care plan at lower or no premium costs to you.
Visit the benefits page for a plan comparison and detailed benefit information.
NHP has designed the following plans for each of the Healthcare Connector plan types:
| Connector Plan Type | NHP Plan Name(s) |
|---|---|
| Gold | NHPOne |
| Silver | NHPTwo, NHPTwo Select |
| Bronze | NHPThree Select |
| Young Adult (19-26 y.o.) | NHPGreen Select, NHP Green Select No Rx |
For those who sign up during May and June 2007, coverage will begin on July 1st. After that, coverage will begin on the first of the month following your signup date.
Commonwealth Care is a subsidized health insurance program, which means that the state will pay some or all of your monthly premiums based on your income. Commonwealth Choice is a self-pay health insurance, (although if your employer offers you Commonwealth Choice, he or she may pay part or all of your premium).
If your Primary Care Provider is part of the Provider Network serving your plan, then you can choose that doctor as your Primary Care Provider. Otherwise, you will need to select a Primary Care Provider that is part of your plan network. NHP has one network of specialists serving all members - search our Specialty Directory to determine whether a particular doctor you have been seeing is part of NHP's network.
Your monthly premium cost will depend on your age, family size, and location, as well as the type of coverage you choose. Your out-of-pocket costs (copayments, co-insurance, and deductibles) will also vary depending on the plan you choose. You can obtain a premium quote from the Healthcare Connector online, or by calling 1.877.MA.ENROLL (1.877.623.6765) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
All qualifying Massachusetts residents are required to obtain health insurance by July 1, 2007. If you cannot show proof of insurance by December 31, 2007, you will lose your personal tax exemption. In 2006, the tax exemption was $3850 for an individual - a tax savings of about $204. In 2008, you will be fined by the state for each month that you do not have health insurance. The fine will equal 50% of the lowest monthly Commonwealth Choice plan premium. Please visit the Healthcare Connector for the most up-to-date information about the individual health insurance mandate. If your income falls below established guidelines, you may be eligible to enroll in a Commonwealth Care plan at lower or no premium costs to you.
Obtain a rate quote from the from the Healthcare Connector online, or by calling 1.877.MA.ENROLL (1.877.623.6765) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.