Health Connector dates for 2027 coverage
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 23, 2026 | Open Enrollment starts for 2027 plans. |
| December 23, 2026 | Last day to pick a plan and pay for coverage that starts January 1, 2027. |
| January 23, 2027 | Open Enrollment ends. Sign up by this date for coverage that starts February 1, 2027. |
In Massachusetts you can apply any time of year if you're applying for help paying for coverage, including ConnectorCare and MassHealth, or if you have a qualifying event. Without one of those, you wait for Open Enrollment. See special enrollment periods.
For 2027, Tufts Health Plan stops offering Connector plans in Berkshire County, and Fallon Health leaves several counties, including Berkshire, Bristol, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk. Members in those plans are moved to the lowest-cost plan at the same level unless they choose another one.
The cheapest coverage in Massachusetts: how ConnectorCare works
ConnectorCare plans have no deductibles, low copays, and $0 or low monthly premiums, and every plan of the same type has the same benefits and copays. Which type you get, and what you pay, depends on income. For the 2026 plan year, people with household income from 100% to 400% of the federal poverty level may qualify.
| Income, % of poverty level | Lowest-cost ConnectorCare premium per person, 2026 |
|---|---|
| 100% to 150% | $0 a month |
| 150.1% to 200% | $53 a month |
| 200.1% to 250% | $103 a month |
| 250.1% to 300% | $152 a month |
| 300.1% to 400% | $235 a month |
- 2027 income limit: the Connector hadn't posted the 2027 ConnectorCare income range on its ConnectorCare page when we checked. Its 2026 limit is 400% of the poverty level, down from the 500% pilot.
- Above 400% of the poverty level, you don't qualify for federal tax credits now that the enhanced credits have ended. The cheapest option is usually a lower metal level, often Bronze, which trades a lower premium for a higher deductible. See cheapest health insurance.
- New for 2027: under federal law, only certain noncitizens (green card holders, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and COFA migrants) can get tax credits or ConnectorCare. The Connector estimates about 35,000 current enrollees may lose help paying for coverage.
- Repaying credits: starting with tax year 2026 there's no cap on paying back extra advance tax credits, so keep your income up to date.
The Massachusetts mandate and penalty
Adult tax filers in Massachusetts must have coverage that meets the state's Minimum Creditable Coverage standards. You report it on Schedule HC. A penalty applies only if you went without coverage when affordable coverage was available to you, under the Connector's yearly affordability schedule. Gaps of three consecutive months or less don't count.
| Income, % of poverty level (one person) | Monthly penalty | Full year |
|---|---|---|
| 150% or less (up to $23,475) | $0 | $0 |
| 150.1% to 200% (to $31,300) | $26 | $312 |
| 200.1% to 250% (to $39,125) | $51 | $612 |
| 250.1% to 300% (to $46,950) | $76 | $912 |
| 300.1% to 400% (to $62,600) | $117 | $1,404 |
| Above 400% | $211 | $2,532 |
- Your Schedule HC asks whether you had access to subsidized or affordable employer coverage, then compares the lowest-cost Connector premium in your area with what the state says you could afford.
- You can appeal a penalty through the Health Connector if you had a hardship.
- Compare all states with a mandate in health insurance penalty states.
This is general information, not tax advice. Check the Schedule HC instructions or ask a tax advisor about your situation.
MassHealth or the Health Connector?
MassHealth is Massachusetts' Medicaid and CHIP program, run by a separate state agency. KFF lists the state's Medicaid limit for adults at 138% of the federal poverty level as of January 2026, which includes a 5 percentage point income disregard. On MassHealth's 2026 income chart (effective March 1, 2026), 133% of the poverty level is $1,769 a month, or $21,228 a year, for one person.
One application at the Health Connector checks you for MassHealth, ConnectorCare and tax credits, and a family can have a mix: parents on a Connector plan and children on MassHealth. For MassHealth questions, call 1-800-841-2900 (TTY 711). See Medicaid income limits.
How to enroll, and where Gabriel fits
- Gather your details: everyone in your household, expected 2027 income, current coverage, and your doctors and prescriptions.
- Apply online at mahealthconnector.org, by phone at 1-877-623-6765 (TTY 711), or with free help from an enrollment assister or licensed agent.
- Compare plans on the premium after any help, the deductible, the out-of-pocket maximum and the network.
- Pick and pay by December 23 for January 1 coverage.
Gabriel can quote Marketplace plans for your ZIP code and household, show the price after any tax credit, and open your own application with a licensed agent in most states. You choose the plan and finish the application. Separate from insurance, Gabriel Core is $49 per adult a month (kids under 18 included) with member prices close to cost on lab tests, supplements, prescriptions and bioregulators, plus unlimited virtual urgent care and virtual primary care.
Gabriel is not an insurer. Health insurance quotes and enrollment are handled by Gabriel Labs, Gabriel's separately licensed insurance agency. Gabriel membership is not health insurance, doesn't count as minimum essential coverage, and doesn't replace a health plan's protection against large medical bills.
Common questions
What is the cheapest health insurance in Massachusetts?
For people who qualify, ConnectorCare: in 2026 the lowest-cost plan is $0 a month at 100% to 150% of the poverty level and rises with income up to 400%. Above that, a lower metal level such as Bronze usually has the lowest premium, with a higher deductible.
When is open enrollment in Massachusetts for 2027?
The Health Connector's Open Enrollment runs October 23, 2026 to January 23, 2027. Pick and pay by December 23 for coverage starting January 1.
Is there a penalty for not having health insurance in Massachusetts?
Yes, for adults who could have bought affordable coverage. For tax year 2026 the penalty runs from $26 a month to $211 a month ($312 to $2,532 for a full year) depending on income, with no penalty at or below 150% of the poverty level.
What is the ConnectorCare income limit?
For the 2026 plan year, 100% to 400% of the federal poverty level. The Connector hadn't posted the 2027 range on its ConnectorCare page when we checked.
Do I apply for MassHealth separately?
No. One Health Connector application checks you for MassHealth, ConnectorCare and tax credits.
Sources
- Updates: federal changes and Open Enrollment for 2027 Massachusetts Health Connector
- ConnectorCare plans Massachusetts Health Connector
- Massachusetts individual mandate Massachusetts Health Connector
- TIR 26-1: Individual Mandate Penalties for Tax Year 2026 Massachusetts Department of Revenue
- Eligibility help center answers (2026 MassHealth income standards) Massachusetts Health Connector
- Medicaid income eligibility limits for adults KFF
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace a visit with a licensed clinician. Gabriel membership is not health insurance.