Residents buying health insurance through Massachusetts Health Connector will begin open enrollment on Oct. 23 amid a tougher-than-usual set of choices.
That includes higher premiums, discontinued options for some Tufts Direct and Fallon Health members, and another expected wave of coverage losses due to federal eligibility changes, according to the Commonwealth Beacon.
Here's what to know
Individual Connector coverage includes nearly 350,000 Bay Staters.
The marketplace will accept enrollments from Oct. 23 through Jan. 23, 2027, and anyone seeking Jan. 1 coverage must choose a plan by Dec. 23.
Under Massachusetts' individual mandate, residents who go without qualifying insurance can face a tax penalty.
Average premiums are expected to rise 12.4% in the Connector's unsubsidized non-group plans, while the merged market used by many individuals and small businesses was approved for an average 10.4% increase.
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For many households, the practical effect could be a harder time keeping insurance, staying with the same doctors, and paying for routine care.
Massachusetts Health Connector Executive Director Audrey Morse Gasteier described it as "another unique open enrollment period" as the state grapples with the effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
More background
After an already difficult enrollment cycle, the Connector is moving into another sign-up season rocked by federal policy changes.
Congress allowed Affordable Care Act subsidy extensions to lapse, and Gov. Maura Healey acted by directing another $250 million to heavily subsidized plans to head off premium spikes.
Even with full-cost coverage still available, one group is drawing particular concern.
Morse Gasteier said the Connector is especially concerned about 30,000 to 35,000 lawfully present noncitizens who could lose federal subsidy eligibility on Jan. 1, even though they can still buy Connector plans at full cost.
Morse Gasteier admitted the Connector is "most worried" about that group, while emphasizing that other immigrants, including green card holders, will remain eligible for federal subsidies.
For those 30,000 to 35,000 residents, losing that financial help could mean losing coverage altogether.
Any resulting drop in insurance coverage can also affect workplaces, schools, and local health systems.
What's being done?
Residents whose plans are ending or whose subsidy status is changing are a major focus of the Connector's outreach effort, Morse Gasteier said, as officials try to make their options clearer.
That includes directing eligible enrollees to ConnectorCare, the state's heavily subsidized coverage option.
About 23,000 people ended their Connector coverage for 2026, with roughly half affected by expired federal tax credits, while more than 46,560 new enrollees signed up for 2026 coverage.
Morse Gasteier expects new enrollment to once again make up at least part of those losses.
Residents who need help can use the Connector's call center or visit one of more than 50 in-person navigator locations across Massachusetts, according to Erin Ryan, the Connector's deputy chief for external affairs.
Another 24 navigator organizations offer one-on-one help in nearly 30 languages.
"There will be another tranche of individuals losing their subsidy eligibility because of federal policy, and we are going to be doing everything we can, working with those populations to help support them and deciding if they could afford to or want to remain in coverage," said Morse Gasteier.
"But if many of them do end up leaving coverage, we are also going to be very hard at work trying to sign up other individuals and hopefully balance out any enrollment losses, so that we are keeping pace with our goals and keeping as many people in Massachusetts as possible covered."
Where can I learn more?
The pressure Massachusetts residents are feeling over health coverage mirrors affordability strains in other insurance markets. These stories examine rising home insurance costs, insurer pullbacks, and how states are responding nationwide.
• Across the U.S., homeowners face rising climate-driven insurance costs as major carriers retreat.
• Extreme weather is driving up home insurance rates for households across the country.
• In Louisiana, residents say skyrocketing home insurance premiums are straining already tight budgets.
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