Massachusetts Individual Health Insurance Eligibility & Availability

Am I eligible for individual or group coverage?

You and your dependents may enroll in a health plan for individuals and small groups if:

• you are a resident of Massachusetts; or,
• you are an eligible employee of a small group employer that offers this coverage.

This includes an owner, a sole proprietor or a partner of a partnership.

I can't get health insurance through an employer. What is available to me?

You can buy a health plan directly from a company or through the Commonwealth Health Connector (The Connector). The carriers that sell health plans to individuals are listed here (link to list).

Directly from a Company

Several companies in Massachusetts offer health plans directly to individuals. You can call the company to learn more about the health plans offered, and you can get an application to join the plan. This list (link to list) shows the names and phone numbers of companies that offer health plans to individuals.

Through the Commonwealth Health Connector

The Connector is a new state agency that can help you purchase health insurance. The Connector offers several types of health plans:

Commonwealth Choice

You may be able to join a Commonwealth Choice plan if your family income is over 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). With Commonwealth Choice you have the choice of several health plans offered by several different companies. However, you may not buy a plan through the Connector if your employer offers you a health plan and pays part of the cost. The Commonwealth Choice plans have the "Connector Seal of Approval". This certifies that the plans have good value. Go to www.mahealthconnector.org or call 1-877-623-6765 to learn more about the Commonwealth Choice plans.

Young Adult Health Benefit Plan

The Connector's Commonwealth Choice program includes young adult health plans from several companies. You may be able to join one of these plans if you are a young adult (ages 19 through 26) and you do not have access to health insurance subsidized by your employer. Employer subsidized coverage means that your employer pays at least 33% of the cost of your insurance. Go to www.mahealthconnector.org or call 1-877-623-6765 to learn more about the Young Adult Health Benefit Plans.

Commonwealth Care

You may be able to join a Commonwealth Care plan if your family income is at 300% or less than the federal poverty level (FPL). Depending on your income, your may need to pay some of the monthly premium for the plan, or the state may cover the full cost. Go to www.mahealthconnector.org or call 1-877-623-6765 to learn more about the Commonwealth Care plans. [Please note that the eligibility criteria for Commonwealth Care are different from those shown for Commonwealth Choice].