To find affordable health insurance, Massachusetts residents should apply through the Health Connector, which screens for MassHealth (most adults up to 138% of the poverty level), ConnectorCare (100%–400%, no deductibles) and federal tax credits in one application. Open Enrollment runs Oct 23, 2026 – Jan 23, 2027, and the state mandate makes going uninsured costly at tax time.
Updated for the 2027 plan year (October 2026). Reviewed by a licensed agent.
- The Massachusetts savings ladder
- 2027 income limits by household size
- What you pay for a benchmark plan
- How ConnectorCare keeps costs down
- Above 400%: no federal credit for 2027
- Why skipping coverage can cost more
- Six ways to pay less in 2027
- Self-employed, gig workers and small employers
- Massachusetts cities
- Frequently asked questions
Affordable health insurance Massachusetts: the savings ladder
Massachusetts stacks state programs on top of federal ones, and a single Health Connector application checks them all. Where you land depends on household income and size. Think of it as a ladder, from the lowest incomes to the highest.
- MassHealth (Medicaid and CHIP combined): most adults up to 138% of the poverty level, with higher limits for children and pregnant people.
- Children’s Medical Security Plan: coverage for children who do not qualify for MassHealth.
- ConnectorCare: 100% to 400% of the poverty level, with low premiums, low copays and no deductibles.
- Federal premium tax credits on other Connector plans, up to 400% of the poverty level.
- Health Safety Net: help paying for care at community health centers and hospitals for eligible low-income residents.
The Health Connector says applications for MassHealth, CMSP, Health Safety Net or ConnectorCare are accepted any time of year, not just during Open Enrollment. For dates, insurers and the mandate, read our full Massachusetts health insurance guide.
2027 income limits by household size
Eligibility for 2027 coverage uses the 2026 federal poverty guidelines and your expected 2027 household income. In Massachusetts, 100% of the poverty level is where ConnectorCare begins, 138% is the MassHealth line for most adults, and 400% is the top of both ConnectorCare and the federal credit.
| Household size | 100% FPL | 138% FPL (MassHealth line) | 400% FPL (ConnectorCare and credit limit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,960 | $22,025 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $21,640 | $29,863 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $27,320 | $37,702 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $33,000 | $45,540 | $132,000 |
Add $5,680 at 100% for each additional person. Income means modified adjusted gross income for your whole tax household. Federal rules on the credit are on the IRS premium tax credit page.
What you pay for a benchmark plan in 2027
The federal credit caps your share of the benchmark silver plan at a percentage of income. The IRS set the 2027 percentages in Rev. Proc. 2026-26. ConnectorCare members generally pay less than these amounts, because the state adds its own subsidy on top.
| Income (% of poverty level) | Expected contribution (2027) |
|---|---|
| Under 133% | 2.15% |
| 133% – 150% | 3.23% – 4.30% |
| 150% – 200% | 4.30% – 6.78% |
| 200% – 250% | 6.78% – 8.66% |
| 250% – 300% | 8.66% – 10.22% |
| 300% – 400% | 10.22% |
| Over 400% | No federal credit |
Our 2027 subsidies guide explains the benchmark plan and how the credit is reconciled on your tax return.
Honesty.AI estimates your 2027 savings and compares every Massachusetts plan for your ZIP code.
How ConnectorCare keeps costs down
ConnectorCare is the main reason the search for affordable health insurance, Massachusetts style, looks different from other states. Its plans have low monthly premiums, low copays and no deductibles, and the state further subsidizes premiums and cost sharing on top of the federal credit, per the Connector’s ConnectorCare page.
Your income sets your plan type. Within a plan type, benefits and copays are identical across insurers, so the real choice is the doctor network. In 2026, the plan types ran from Type 2A (100%–150% of the poverty level) through Type 3C (300%–400%). The Connector says members whose 2027 income stays within 100%–400% may see their plan type change if income changes.
ConnectorCare members can also fill certain medications for chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure with no copay. To qualify, you must be eligible for the federal credit, lack affordable job-based coverage, and not qualify for MassHealth or Medicare.
Above 400%: no federal credit for 2027
The enhanced federal credits expired at the end of 2025, and the 400% cliff is back for 2027. Massachusetts’ pilot that extended ConnectorCare to 500% of the poverty level ended with them. Households above $63,840 for one person or $132,000 for a family of four pay full price for 2027.
That does not mean you are out of options. You can still compare every Connector plan by metal tier, and contributions to a traditional 401(k) or a health savings account can lower counted income below the line. Insurers’ rates are also rising: the Division of Insurance approved an average 10.4% merged-market increase for 2027, as reported by Becker’s, so comparing plans beats auto-renewing.
Also watch repayment risk. Starting with 2026 tax returns, there is no cap on paying back excess credits, and anyone whose final income ends above 400% repays all the advance credit they received.
Why skipping coverage can cost more in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has its own individual mandate. Adults who could afford coverage meeting Minimum Creditable Coverage standards, but go without it for more than three consecutive months, can owe a penalty on their state tax return, per the Health Connector’s mandate page.
People with income up to 150% of the poverty level are exempt. Above that, the penalty scales with income and is capped at 50% of the minimum monthly premium for qualifying coverage, per the Department of Revenue’s TIR 26-1. If no affordable plan was available under the Connector’s Affordability Schedule, there is no penalty. Cheap plans that do not meet MCC standards can still leave you owing it, which makes them a false economy.
Six ways to pay less in 2027
A few habits save Massachusetts households real money every year. None of them require giving up coverage.
- Apply through the Connector. ConnectorCare and federal credits are only available there.
- Report income changes. A lower income can move you into a cheaper ConnectorCare plan type at any time.
- Check your 2027 notice. Members get preliminary and final eligibility notices in the fall; read them closely.
- Act if Fallon or Tufts is leaving your county. Affected members are auto-placed in the lowest-cost plan at the same level, which may not include your doctors.
- Use Health Safety Net for gaps. Eligible low-income residents can get help paying community health center and hospital bills.
- Students: compare before paying for SHIP. MassHealth, ConnectorCare or a parent’s plan can be used to waive a school’s plan.
For tier-by-tier advice, see how to choose a health plan and our national guide to affordable health insurance.
Self-employed, gig workers and small employers
Freelancers, rideshare drivers, contractors and small-business owners make up a big share of Connector shoppers. If you are self-employed and want affordable health insurance, Massachusetts rules let you qualify for ConnectorCare or federal credits based on household income, the same as anyone else.
Estimate your 2027 net self-employment income, after business expenses, rather than gross receipts. Because income swings, take a conservative amount of advance credit and update your application when a big contract lands. The Connector lets you choose to use less than your maximum credit each month.
Small employers have a separate door: Health Connector for Business sells group plans to Massachusetts small businesses. If your employer offers affordable coverage, you generally cannot get ConnectorCare or the federal credit. For 2027, job-based coverage is considered affordable when your share for employee-only coverage is no more than 10.22% of household income.
Turning 65 soon? Medicare becomes your main coverage, and Medicare Part A or B meets the state mandate automatically. End your Connector plan when Medicare starts to avoid paying for both.
Massachusetts cities
Need affordable health insurance? Massachusetts cities differ in networks, carriers and local help, so our city guides go deeper:
- Boston: academic medical centers and Boston Medical Center, neighborhood health centers in most parts of the city, free navigators through the Boston Public Health Commission’s Mayor’s Health Line, and Fallon’s 2027 exit from Suffolk County.
- Worcester: UMass Memorial’s academic medical center, two federally qualified health centers that also act as enrollment navigators, a college town’s student coverage rules, and Fallon’s partial Worcester County exit.
How Honesty helps you pay less
Honesty.AI is the world’s first patented, licensed AI insurance agent, and it is on your side. It explains whether ConnectorCare, MassHealth or a regular Connector plan fits your income, checks MCC compliance, and compares ACA, alternative and ancillary options side by side.
Honesty® Insurance Services, LLC (NPN 21094885) is licensed in Massachusetts. Ask by chat, voice or text, 24/7.
Find affordable 2027 coverage in Massachusetts
See what you qualify for, compare every Health Connector plan, and stay on the right side of the mandate. Honesty Is Your Best Policy®.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most affordable health insurance in Massachusetts?
It depends on income. MassHealth covers most adults up to 138% of the poverty level, and ConnectorCare offers low-premium plans with no deductibles from 100% to 400%. Above 400%, compare regular Health Connector plans by metal tier and network.
What is the ConnectorCare income limit for 2027?
The Health Connector says people who report 2027 income from 100% to 400% of the federal poverty level may be eligible. For a single person, 400% is $63,840; for a family of four, $132,000.
Can I enroll in ConnectorCare outside Open Enrollment?
Yes. The Health Connector accepts applications for help paying for coverage, including ConnectorCare, MassHealth, CMSP and Health Safety Net, any time of year. Others need a qualifying life event.
Who is exempt from the Massachusetts health insurance penalty?
People with income up to 150% of the poverty level are exempt, as are people who had no affordable coverage available under the state Affordability Schedule. Gaps of up to three consecutive months are also allowed.
Do I get a subsidy above 400% of the poverty level in 2027?
No. The enhanced federal credits expired at the end of 2025, so there is no federal premium tax credit above 400% for 2027, and the state pilot that extended ConnectorCare to 500% has ended.
Keep learning: read the full Massachusetts health insurance guide, see local details for Boston and Worcester, learn how the 2027 subsidies work, or use our tips on how to choose a health plan.
