- Most adults already have health insurance, perhaps through their employer or a government program, but if you don't, you or your employer can find the right health and dental insurance plan online through the Massachusetts Health Connector ( the state's Marketplace for health and dental insurance) (877) 623-6765, TTY number at (877) 623-7773.
- Depending on your employer's health insurance options or whether you use the MA Health Connector, there might be a wide range of health insurance plans to choose from. They have a large variety in how much you pay per month, how high is the deductible (you pay full price of most medical costs except preventative care until you have paid the amount of the deductible across all your medical needs, at which point the insurance will start covering (part of) the cost), which services are covered for what % or not, which doctors / hospitals are covered or not (watchout, some insurances do not cover doctors/hospitals which are close by) etc.
- MassHealth provides health benefits and helps paying for them to qualifying children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities living in Massachusetts. They may offer benefits directly or help pay for all or part of your health insurance premiums. If you are a member, you may have access to doctor visits, dental, prescription drugs, behavioral health services, and other important health care services. Find more about eligibility here for people under 65 (Medicaid), and here for people 65+/requiring long term needs (Medicare) . The Town Community Resource Managers can help you identify whether you are eligible or not and help with enrollment; or you can call (800) 841-2900 - interpreter services available. More information also at Healthcare for All .
- Undocumented residents (or if you don't provide immigration documentation) can get limited coverage through MassHealth . The Town Community Resource Managers can help you identify whether you are eligible or not and help with enrollment; or you can call (800) 841-2900 - interpreter services available.
- Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older. You may be eligible to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease). Some people get Medicare automatically, others have to actively sign up -- it depends if you start getting retirement or disability benefits from Social Security before you turn 65. The SHINE Program provides free health insurance information , counseling, and assistance to Massachusetts residents with Medicare and their caregivers, more information here . Open enrollment period for Medicare is Oct 15 - Dec 7.
The Health Care For All HelpLine (800.272.4232) is a free statewide multilingual (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole and French) phone service that helps Massachusetts residents at all income levels with enrolling into health insurance coverage (incl Medicare and Medicaid), answering questions about insurance, and troubleshooting cases.
General Health Care Information- Healthcare in the United States: The top five things you need to know [MIT]
- Most health insurances have fixed start dates (different start dates for different types of insurance) and run for a year. You can only apply/change insurance during the "open enrollment period" - a few weeks before those start dates , and can't make any changes while the insurance is running, unless you have qualifying events. Check your insurance what consists of qualifying events in your case. Find more FAQ's on Open Enrollment here .
- Many health insurances require you to identify a Primary Care Provider , this is the main physician overseeing your healthcare. Depending on your insurance, your Primary Care Provider might need to first write a referral before you can see any specialist (unless it's emergency or urgent care)
- The Primary Care Provider for children (till they finish college, or the age of 18 or 21) is often a pediatric physician.
