Individual Mandate: All Massachusetts residents are required to have health insurance or pay a penalty. The penalty is calculated based on the household income and the number of months without insurance.
Employer Mandate: Employers with more than 11 full-time employees are required to provide health insurance to their employees or pay a fee. The fee varies based on the number of employees and the county in which the business is located.
Health Connector: The Health Connector is a state-sponsored online marketplace where individuals and small businesses can shop for health insurance plans. The Health Connector offers a variety of plans from different insurance companies, and individuals can compare plans and prices before enrolling.
Subsidies: The state provides subsidies to low- and moderate-income individuals and families to help them afford health insurance. The amount of the subsidy depends on the household income and the cost of the health insurance plan.
Medicaid Expansion: The state expanded its Medicaid program to cover more low-income individuals and families. Medicaid is a government-sponsored health insurance program for low-income individuals and families.
Community Care Plans: The state created community care plans to provide medical care to uninsured individuals who are not eligible for Medicaid or subsidized health insurance. Community care plans are funded through a combination of state and federal funds.
Individual Responsibility: Individuals who can afford health insurance but choose to remain uninsured are responsible for their medical bills.
Enforcement: The state enforces the individual mandate through the tax system. Individuals who fail to comply with the mandate may have to pay a penalty when they file their state income taxes.
The Massachusetts health care reform has been credited with reducing the number of uninsured individuals in the state and expanding access to health care. It has also served as a model for other states looking to reform their health care systems.
