(Massachusetts Health Connector/Twitter)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Thursday is the final day for Bay State residents to apply for health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector's 2020 open enrollment period.
"Open enrollment is a time of year for people who don't have coverage to come in and newly get covered," said Audrey Morse Gasteier, chief of policy and strategy at the Mass Health Connector. "People who've been covered with us, this is also a time to come update their information, compare their coverage options, there might be new plans available that weren't available last year."
More than 97% of all Massachusetts residents have health coverage of some kind. For those who don't, Gasteier warns that it won't be so easy to get into coverage once the open enrollment period ends.
"After January 23rd, people need a qualifying event to get into coverage, so this is really the time for anyone who doesn't have coverage to come in and get covered," said Gasteier.
Qualifying events include a change in household size (such as having a child, getting married, or getting divorced), a change in income, and a loss of current insurance.
The open enrollment period ends at midnight. The Health Connector has extended its customer service call hours to 8 p.m. at their walk-in centers in Boston and Worcester, as well as their call-in center.
The call-in number to the Health Connector is 877-623-7773. You can visit the Connector's website at www.mahealthconnector.org.
WBZ's Chris Fama (@CFamaWBZ) reports
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