Health Connector Open Enrollment Deadline and 2026 Changes  

• Enroll and pay by December 23 for coverage beginning January 1
• Members in ConnectorCare Plan Types 1 or 3D may see coverage and cost changes

The Massachusetts Health Connector provides a marketplace for individuals, families, and small businesses to shop for affordable health and dental insurance coverage. Open Enrollment is the period when these individuals and families can enroll in health insurance coverage or shop for a new plan through Connector without a qualifying life event. The Health Connector’s December 23 payment deadline to secure health insurance coverage effective January 1 is quickly approaching (open enrollment continues until January 23 for February 1 coverage).

The remainder of this post explains the changes Health Connector members may see to their premiums next year due to federal changes in who qualifies for help paying for health insurance. Broadly, those affected are certain extremely-low-income immigrants and certain middle-income households.

Health Connector Members affected by Federal Changes

1. Members enrolled in the ConnectorCare Plan Type 1 will no longer be eligble for ConnectorCare. This plan was for members ineligible for Medicaid due to immigration status and with incomes less than 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It included individuals with Temporary Protected Status, Green Card holders of less than 5 years, and others.
   • These members will lose help paying for premiums, their co-pays will increase, and plans will include a deductible.
2. Members enrolled in Connector Plan Type 3D with incomes over 400% FPL will no longer be eligible for subsidized insurance.
   • For 2026, members in this income range will lose access to the reduced premiums provided by federal APTC and ConnectorCare and will lose access to the cost-sharing benefits provided by ConnectorCare. 
   • These households will remain eligible for unsubsidized Health Connector plans at a higher cost.  
   • ConnectorCare Plan Type 3C will remain available through the end of 2026.

What should I do if my family falls into these categories?  

You should apply as normal during the open enrollment period ending January 23. For January 1 coverage, the deadline is December 23. Any changes in household size, income, or immigration status may change the eligibility for subsidized care. The Health Connector will take your most up-to-date information and see if you qualify for Health Connector programs, MassHealth programs, or the Health Safety Net (HSN).  

You may see a large spike in your premium but know that eligibility for subsidized coverage can change at any point in the year. If your income, household size, or immigration status changes you can apply for a mid-year determination at any time and change plan enrollment. Additionally, Congress can act at any point next year to lower your premium.  Governor Healy has launched a new portal with updates on future federal changes affecting premiums.

Helpful Resources

• Health Care For All Helpline – a free staffed phone line of experts who can assist with coverage questions and compare plan prices.
• Mayor’s Health Line | Boston.gov – a free, confidential, multilingual health information and referral service through the City of Boston. Available to anyone in Massachusetts.
• Get an Estimate tool – for individuals and families interested in getting an idea of the cost of plans available to them without needing to complete a full application, this tool provides cost estimates after answering just a few brief questions.
• Find Navigators and enrollment assisters in your community – Navigators can provide in-person or virtual assistance completing an application, enrolling in coverage or updating information.
• The Resource Download Center – provides information about the Health Connector, available financial help, as well as the Plan Finder Tool that helps individuals compare providers, hospitals, health centers, and prescription drugs that are covered by the health and dental plans available. 
• Upcoming events, including information about public webinars for individuals interested in learning more about Open Enrollment, can be found at https://www.mahealthconnector.org/events.

We are here to help constituents navigate these changes. Please email me at regina.fink@masenate.gov or call/text my cellphone at 857-242-1892 if you have questions regarding your Health Connector Plan for 2026.  

Background on Federal Changes

Glossary

• Massachusetts Health Connector: marketplace plans  
• ConnectorCare: subsidized Health Connector Plans  
• ConnectorCare Pilot Expansion: included households up to 500 percent of the FPL. This expansion provided low-cost health insurance, no deductibles, and low co-pays to two new Plan Types: 
  • 3C for households with incomes between 300% and 400 % FPL, and 
  • 3D for households with incomes between 400 % and 500 % FPL.

Congress has so far chosen to allow Enhanced Premium Tax Credits (EPTCs) to expire. This program was created in 2023 as an expansion of Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) to increase eligibility for middle income families and certain extremely-low-income immigrants for subsidized health insurance. APTCs are not affected by the expiration of EPTCs.

The Health Connector, created by the Affordable Care Act, is separate from MassHealth (Medicare). The expiring tax credits do not affect MassHealth. Changes to those programs are in the “Big Beautiful Bill” and will not go into effect until October 1, 2026.