In Massachusetts, your health insurance options do not depend on your health status.

• As of July 1, 2007 Massachusetts requires all individuals over 18 years of age (with some exceptions) to have qualified health insurance. Even if you do not have access to coverage through an employer, you can buy an individual policy from an insurance company or, in some cases, you may qualify for coverage under state sponsored plans.
• Employers with 11 or more employees are encouraged to provide access to health insurance in Massachusetts. Employers that do not provide health benefits may be fined.
• Coverage under your group health plan (if your employer offers one) cannot be denied or limited, nor can you be required to pay more, because of your health status. This is called nondiscrimination.
• All health plans in Massachusetts must limit exclusion of pre-existing conditions. There are rules about what counts as a pre-existing condition and how long you must wait before a new health plan will begin to pay for care for that condition. Generally, if you join a new plan your old coverage will be credited toward the pre-existing condition exclusion period, provided you did not have a long break in coverage.
• You cannot be turned down for individual health insurance because of your health status, age, or any other factor that might predict your use of health services. This is called guaranteed issue.
• If you are buying individual health insurance, you cannot be charged more due to health status, gender, or occupation. However, premiums will vary based on age. This is called modified community rating.
• Your individual health insurance or group health plan cannot be canceled because you get sick. Most health insurance is guaranteed renewable.
• If you are a full or part-time student in a college or university in Massachusetts you are guaranteed health insurance through the Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program (QSHIP).
• If you leave your job, you may be able to remain in your old group health plan for a certain length of time. This is called COBRA or state continuation coverage. It can help when you are between jobs or waiting for a new health plan to cover your pre-existing condition. There are limits on what you can be charged for this coverage.
• If you lose your job, are receiving unemployment insurance, and meet other requirements, you may be eligible for premium assistance for individual health insurance, state continuation coverage or COBRA through a state program called the Medical Security Plan (MSP).
• If you are a small employer buying a group health plan, you cannot be turned down because of the health status, age, or any factor that might predict the use of health services of those in your group. All health plans for small employers must be sold on a guaranteed issue basis.
• If you are a small employer buying a group health plan, you cannot be charged more due to the health status or gender of those in your group. However, premiums will vary based on age. This is called modified community rating.
• If you are a small employer, you may be eligible for the MassHealth Insurance Partnership. MassHealth offers subsidies to eligible small employers to help offset the cost of providing health insurance for employees.
• If you have low or modest household income, you may be eligible for free or subsidized health coverage for yourself or members of your family. The MassHealth programs offer free or subsidized health coverage for pregnant women, families with children, elderly and disabled individuals with low-incomes among others.
• If your children are 18 years old or younger, have limited or no health insurance and meet other qualifications, they may be eligible to enroll in the Children’s Medical Security Plan.
• If you are 19 years old or older, uninsured, meet the financial requirements, and meet other qualifications, you may be eligible for state subsidized insurance through the Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Program.
• If you believe that you have or are at risk for breast or cervical cancer, you may be eligible for free screening and treatment. The Women’s Health Network provides qualified women with free breast and cervical cancer screening. In addition, women diagnosed with cancer may be eligible for treatment through MassHealth.
• If you have lost your health insurance and are receiving benefits from the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program then you may be eligible for a federal income tax credit to help pay for new health coverage. This credit is called the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC), and it is equal to 65% of the cost of qualified health coverage, including COBRA.
• If you are a retiree aged 55-65 and receiving pension benefits from Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (PBGC), then you may also be eligible for the HCTC.