How Massachusetts Health Connector payments work
Massachusetts Health Connector is the state's health insurance marketplace. If you bought a plan through it, you pay your premium directly to your insurance company, not to Health Connector itself. Health Connector sets up your account and shows you plan options, but the monthly payment goes to the insurer you chose — Blue Cross, Tufts, Harvard Pilgrim, or another carrier.
Your first payment is usually due before your coverage starts. After that, payments are due on the same day each month. If you miss a payment, your coverage can be canceled, usually after a 30-day grace period depending on your plan. Some people get a tax credit that reduces their monthly bill; that credit is applied by your insurance company when you pay, not by Health Connector.
You can pay by mail, online through your insurer's website, or by phone. The method depends on which insurance company you chose. Health Connector does not process payments — it only helps you find and enroll in plans.
Key Takeaways
- You pay your insurance company directly each month, not Health Connector, even though you enrolled through the marketplace.
- Your first payment must arrive before your coverage begins, and future payments are due on the same date each month.
- If you received a tax credit, it reduces your monthly premium at the time you pay your insurer.
- Missing a payment can end your coverage after a grace period, so set up automatic payments or calendar reminders if you pay manually.
- Contact your insurance company's customer service for payment questions, payment plans, or trouble paying — not Health Connector.
Finding your insurance company's payment instructions
When you enroll in a plan through Health Connector, you receive a confirmation email with your plan details and the name of your insurance company. That email also includes a customer service phone number. Call that number or visit the insurer's website to set up your payment method.
Your insurance company will send you a bill or payment notice before your first premium is due. This notice includes the amount, the due date, and the payment methods they accept. Most insurers accept online payments through their website, automatic bank withdrawals, checks by mail, and phone payments. Some also accept credit card payments, though a fee may apply.
If you cannot find your confirmation email, log into your Health Connector account at mahealthconnector.org. Your enrollment summary shows which insurance company you chose. Then search that company's name plus "pay premium" to find their payment page.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments are the most reliable way to avoid missed deadlines. Most Massachusetts insurers let you set up automatic bank withdrawals through their website or by calling customer service. You provide your checking or savings account number and routing number, and the payment comes out on the same date each month.
Automatic payments usually start the month after you set them up, so your first payment may still need to be made manually. Check your confirmation notice for the first due date and pay it separately if needed. After that, the automatic withdrawal handles the rest.
If your income changes and your tax credit changes, your monthly premium amount may change. Your automatic payment does not adjust on its own — you will need to update it through your insurer's website or by phone. Health Connector sends you a notice when your tax credit changes, but it is your responsibility to tell your insurance company about the new amount.
What to do if you cannot pay on time
If you know you cannot pay by the due date, contact your insurance company immediately. Do not wait until after the deadline. Many insurers offer short-term payment plans or can delay your due date by a few days if you ask before the payment is late.
Your plan includes a grace period — usually 30 days — during which you can still use your coverage even if your payment is late. However, if you do not pay by the end of the grace period, your coverage ends. Any medical care you receive after the grace period ends will not be covered, and you will owe the full cost.
If your coverage ends because of a missed payment, you can re-enroll through Health Connector during the next open enrollment period (usually November through January) or if you have a may have access to life event like a job loss or move. Until then, you will be uninsured.
Understanding tax credits and how they affect your payment
A tax credit is a reduction in your monthly premium. If you reported your household income to Health Connector when you enrolled, you may have been offered a credit that lowers what you pay each month. This credit is not money you receive — it is a discount applied to your bill.
Your insurance company applies the tax credit automatically when you pay. Your bill shows the full premium price, then subtracts the credit, and you pay the remaining amount. The credit is built into your monthly payment, so you do not need to do anything extra to use it.
If your income changes during the year, your tax credit may change too. Health Connector will send you a notice explaining the change. Your new premium amount takes effect on a date Health Connector specifies, usually the first of the following month. You must update your automatic payment or adjust your manual payment to match the new amount.
Paying if you enrolled outside open enrollment
If you enrolled through Health Connector outside the regular open enrollment period — because of a job loss, move, birth, or other may have access to event — your payment timeline is the same. Your first payment is still due before coverage starts, and future payments follow the same monthly schedule as anyone else.
may have access to events are processed by Health Connector, but payment goes to your insurance company just like any other enrollment. You will receive the same confirmation email and payment instructions. If you are unsure whether your event qualifies, Health Connector customer service can tell you, but they cannot process your payment.
Contacting your insurance company about payment problems
If you have questions about your bill, need a payment plan, want to change your payment method, or are having trouble paying, call your insurance company's customer service number. This number is on your bill, in your confirmation email, and on the company's website. Health Connector does not handle payment issues — your insurer does.
Have your member ID number ready when you call. This number is on your insurance card and in your Health Connector enrollment confirmation. Your insurer can then pull up your account and help you with payment options, billing questions, or coverage details.
If you are struggling to pay because of financial hardship, some insurers offer reduced-cost plans or payment assistance programs. Ask your insurance company what options are available. You can also contact a local community health center or nonprofit organization for help finding resources in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay Health Connector or my insurance company?
You pay your insurance company. Health Connector is the marketplace where you shop and enroll, but the actual premium payment goes to the insurer you chose. Your insurance company's name is in your enrollment confirmation email.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Your coverage continues for a grace period, usually 30 days. If you do not pay by the end of that period, your coverage ends. You will owe the full cost of any medical care you receive after the grace period, and you will need to re-enroll to get coverage again.
Can I change my payment method after I enroll?
Yes. Contact your insurance company and ask to update your payment method. You can switch from mail to automatic payments, change your bank account, or use a different payment option anytime. Call the customer service number on your bill.
What if my tax credit changes during the year?
Health Connector will notify you of the change and tell you when the new amount takes effect. You must update your automatic payment or adjust your manual payment to match the new premium. Your insurance company will not automatically adjust an automatic payment.
Can I get help paying my premium if I cannot afford it?
Some insurance companies offer payment plans or reduced-cost options. Call your insurer's customer service to ask what is available. You can also contact a local community health center or nonprofit organization for information about financial assistance programs in your area.