Representative Don Humason



Health Care Reform Law By Joe Wynn, Aide to Don Humason, Westfield's State Representative November 25, 2006 I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving! Don't forget, you're invited to join Rep. Humason TONIGHT for his annual free ice-skating event. It's from 5 to 6 PM at Amelia Park. It's free ice-skating, as well as cookies and hot chocolate from Adrienne's Cafe, compliments of Don. The following is the information I mentioned last week about the new state Health Care Reform Law, Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006. The legislature's Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing provided it to Don, and he asked me to share it with you. If you have any questions, always feel free to give us a call. The Connector - Chapter 58 created the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority to connect people to health insurance. The Connector runs the subsidized insurance program, sets the affordability scale, and helps individuals and small businesses access private insurance products. Since April 2006, the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Board has been meeting to decide the scope of health benefits, premium amounts, and procurement of health plans for Commonwealth Care Health Insurance, the new subsidized insurance program. Updated information about the Connector can be found at www.mass.gov/connector. Commonwealth Care - The Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Program (CCHIP) is subsidized insurance offered through the new Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector. The program helps individuals enroll in a health plan to access care. As of October 2, 2006, residents of the Commonwealth earning less than 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) [$9,804 for an individual; $20,004 for a family of 4] who are not eligible for other insurance are able to enroll in the Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Program with no premium. Residents earning between 100% and 300% FPL [up to $29,412 for an individual; up to $60,012 for family of 4] who are not eligible for other insurance may enroll in Commonwealth Care starting January 1, 2007, and will pay a sliding scale premium of between $18 and $106 per month per person. For information on Commonwealth Care call their Enrollment Center at 1-877-MA-ENROLL. Insurance Market reforms - Young Adults - Two new options were created in the new health care law: 1.) Beginning January 1, 2007, young adults will be able to remain on their parents’ health plans up to two years after loss of dependent status, or until age 25, whichever comes first. 2.) In addition, beginning July 1, 2007, health insurance carriers will be able to provide more affordable health plans for young adults aged 19-26 who are not covered by other insurance. Individuals should contact their insurance carriers about both of these changes Non-group/Small group merger - The merger of the non-group and small group insurance markets is slated for July 1, 2007. Current members of non-group health plans will realize the savings resulting from the merger after this date. Individuals should contact their insurance carriers about this change Other Provisions - Individual Mandate - Beginning July 1, 2007, Massachusetts residents will be required to enroll in a creditable health insurance plan. Certain exemptions may be made for individuals and families who cannot purchase insurance because no affordable plan is available. The Connector Board will define the “affordability scale” in the coming months. MassHealth - Expansions in MassHealth that began July 1, 2006, provide health benefits for children up to 300% FPL, MassHealth Essential for long-term unemployed residents, and dental and vision benefits for adults. Contact MassHealth with concerns about MassHealth benefits: 1-800-841-2900. Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2460. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us * * * Please feel free to forward this column to your family, friends, and associates. If you do not wish to receive an email copy of my Saturday Westfield Evening News column, please reply and let me know. I will then take you off the list. Sorry for any inconvenience.
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Health Care Reform Law

By Joe Wynn, Aide to Don Humason, Westfield's State Representative

November 25, 2006

I hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving! Don't forget, you're invited to join Rep. Humason TONIGHT for his annual free ice-skating event. It's from 5 to 6 PM at Amelia Park. It's free ice-skating, as well as cookies and hot chocolate from Adrienne's Cafe, compliments of Don.

The following is the information I mentioned last week about the new state Health Care Reform Law, Chapter 58 of the Acts of 2006. The legislature's Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing provided it to Don, and he asked me to share it with you. If you have any questions, always feel free to give us a call.

The Connector -
Chapter 58 created the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority to connect people to health insurance. The Connector runs the subsidized insurance program, sets the affordability scale, and helps individuals and small businesses access private insurance products.

Since April 2006, the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Board has been meeting to decide the scope of health benefits, premium amounts, and procurement of health plans for Commonwealth Care Health Insurance, the new subsidized insurance program. Updated information about the Connector can be found at www.mass.gov/connector.

Commonwealth Care - The Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Program (CCHIP) is subsidized insurance offered through the new Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector. The program helps individuals enroll in a health plan to access care. As of October 2, 2006, residents of the Commonwealth earning less than 100% of the federal poverty level (FPL) [$9,804 for an individual; $20,004 for a family of 4] who are not eligible for other insurance are able to enroll in the Commonwealth Care Health Insurance Program with no premium.

Residents earning between 100% and 300% FPL [up to $29,412 for an individual; up to $60,012 for family of 4] who are not eligible for other insurance may enroll in Commonwealth Care starting January 1, 2007, and will pay a sliding scale premium of between $18 and $106 per month per person. For information on Commonwealth Care call their Enrollment Center at 1-877-MA-ENROLL.

Insurance Market reforms -
Young Adults - Two new options were created in the new health care law:
1.) Beginning January 1, 2007, young adults will be able to remain on their parents’ health plans up to two years after loss of dependent status, or until age 25, whichever comes first.
2.) In addition, beginning July 1, 2007, health insurance carriers will be able to provide more affordable health plans for young adults aged 19-26 who are not covered by other insurance.
Individuals should contact their insurance carriers about both of these changes

Non-group/Small group merger - The merger of the non-group and small group insurance markets is slated for July 1, 2007. Current members of non-group health plans will realize the savings resulting from the merger after this date. Individuals should contact their insurance carriers about this change

Other Provisions -
Individual Mandate - Beginning July 1, 2007, Massachusetts residents will be required to enroll in a creditable health insurance plan. Certain exemptions may be made for individuals and families who cannot purchase insurance because no affordable plan is available. The Connector Board will define the “affordability scale” in the coming months.

MassHealth - Expansions in MassHealth that began July 1, 2006, provide health benefits for children up to 300% FPL, MassHealth Essential for long-term unemployed residents, and dental and vision benefits for adults. Contact MassHealth with concerns about MassHealth benefits: 1-800-841-2900.

Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366.

Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2460.
Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us

* * * Please feel free to forward this column to your family, friends, and associates. If you do not wish to receive an email copy of my Saturday Westfield Evening News column, please reply and let me know. I will then take you off the list. Sorry for any inconvenience.

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group