Rant about HealthConnector/MassHealth

Submitted by ShawnaR89 t3_y7anf2 in massachusetts

So I’m applying just to see if I am eligible for help or whatever right. It’s me, my husband and our daughter. I hold insurance through my job currently for my daughter and I and will be adding my husband at the next open enrollment (end of year).

In this application they ask what the employee ONLY premium is, explicitly saying do not enter the cost for family coverage. It’s something like $150/mo for employee only. But I don’t see how that’s helpful in anyway, when you compare it to the family premium of $645/mo!!!

I know there’s premium assistance program which I will be applying for but JFC. If I’m holding ins for the family they should know that the family rate is 5x the individual!! Maybe I’d get some damn help!

Rant over.

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Comments

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Maronita2020 t1_istj213 wrote

I'm not sure, but maybe they are asking to see if you can afford the individual coverage. IF you can afford the individual coverage but not the family coverage maybe they would require YOU to take the individual coverage and then they cover you husband and daughter.

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Mr-Chewy-Biteums t1_istmwc6 wrote

>maybe they would require YOU to take the individual coverage and then they cover you husband and daughter.

No, Masshealth will not cover someone if they are eligible for coverage through a family member. I went through that a few years ago.

I was on Masshealth. My (now) wife had insurance through her job. We got married and within a surprisingly short amount of time Masshealth dropped me like a bad habit, telling me I was now ineligible due to the availability of family coverage.

Just like OP, my wife's premium went up 5X. And it's pretty weak insurance too. Lots of copays and deductibles. We went to the financial aid office at our local hospital because they advertise that they can help people find what's available, and their response was that that's just how it is. The employee said that in their office they joke about how Masshealth breaks up marriages.

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Thank you

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ShawnaR89 OP t1_istp66e wrote

Ugh that’s super depressing. Thanks for sharing your experience

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Thisbymaster t1_istm8nk wrote

It is just the application process, just power through and finish the application. You will get to a person who will be able to help you more with figuring out the end point.

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PolkaD0tMom t1_isvs7qf wrote

OP, you're not getting correct responses. Masshealth doesn't care if you have other insurance. That question is only to determine advanced premium tax credits eligibility for health connector plans.

Do you need help with the premium assistance process?

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ShawnaR89 OP t1_isxbyob wrote

Hey thanks. It seems pretty straight forward. Fill out the form, have my employer fill it out, then send it in.

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PolkaD0tMom t1_isxg4uo wrote

Yes! And even if they take some time to process the application, they backdate to when it was received so the sooner you send it, the better.

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ShawnaR89 OP t1_isycbgp wrote

Do you think I should wait until I have my husband on my ins starting 1/1/23? Or should I just do it now?

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PolkaD0tMom t1_isyea4s wrote

Right now, if your daughter qualifies for Masshealth.

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