An Update on the States Health Insurance Reform …
(This does not apply to those on Medicare)
by: Janice Long Director Hudson Senior Center
The State of Massachusetts has mandated that everyone in the State have minimum creditable health insurance by December 31, 2007. To meet this need the State has developed a program called the Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Program (Commonwealth Care). This new program connects eligible Mass. residents with approved insurance plans and helps pay for them. This plan also recognizes the need for individuals and couples with higher incomes and has provided health insurance plans for them as well! If you are 55-64 and uninsured Janice or Renee can help you with this process.
Where do you begin?
You may call The Commonwealth Care Customer Service Representatives line at 1-877-623-6765. This will introduce you to the Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Programs.. Some programs pay the total cost of health insurance for qualified individuals who have incomes at or below the federal poverty level, and some programs help pay for a portion of the cost for other qualified individuals. You qualify for these programs if:
Your family’s income before taxes is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level$ ( 300% FPL is $30,60. or less for an individual or $41,070. or less for a couple)You are uninsured
You are a U.S. citizen/national, qualified alien, or alien with special status; and
You are aged 19 or older (eligible persons under 19 can receive benefits through MassHealth)
If you are an individual making $850.00 a month or $10, 210. annually but less than $2,552,50 a month or $30,630.00 annually you would qualify for one of the help programs. If you are a couple making $1140.83 a month or $13,690.00 annually or $3,422.50 a month or $41,070.00 a year you may qualify for one of the help programs.
Here are some examples of what health care premiums will look like:
2007 Draft Affordability Schedule for Individuals |
Annual Gross Income Range |
|
Monthly Premiums |
Starting Point |
End Point |
|
$0 |
$15,315.00 |
$0 |
$15,316.00 |
$20,420.00 |
$35.00 |
$20,241.00 |
$25,525.00 |
$70.00 |
$25,256.00 |
$30,630.00 |
$105.00 |
$30,631.00 |
$35,000.00 |
$150.00 |
$35,001.00 |
$40,000.00 |
$200.00 |
$40,001.00 |
$50,000.00 |
$300.00 |
>$50,000.00 |
|
Affordable |
As you can see there are still more health insurance options available for individuals and couples who make over 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. All plans offer a variety of premiums, deductibles and co-pays. I do find these new health insurance plans to be more affordable than the Nongroup Health Insurance Plans presently offered in Mass. If you are 55 –64 and not on Medicare please call Janice or Renee and we will be happy to help you navigate through these new health care options and get you insured!
Remember, this is a new State Law ,everyone must have health insurance by Dec. 31 07 or there will be a PENALTY.. For tax year 2007 (taxes filed in April 2008) there will be a loss of personal exemption (approximately $210.00) if an individual did not have health insurance as of Dec. 31, 07. For tax year 2008 and beyond (taxes filed beginning in April 2009), half the monthly cost of the least expensive plan available for each month that individual in uninsured.
There will be exceptions to this penalty based on:
1.) Affordability. 2.) Hardship and 3.) “Sincerely—held religious beliefs.” (more on that later) This new state law will give new and more benefits to those who are uninsured and under insured. There are many between the ages of 55-64 uninsured. Let’s see if we can change that!
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