Massachusetts Health Insurance Programs

Massachusetts health insurance programs are regulated by the state government in order to insure fair interactions between Massachusetts health insurance companies and their policyholders. There are a variety of laws that in place to protect Massachusetts health insurance policyholders and maintain equal practices among different Massachusetts health insurance companies. When searching for a new Massachusetts health insurance company, it is important to know your basic rights regarding coverage and the benefits you are guaranteed under Massachusetts health insurance law.

Pre-existing condition regulations are perhaps the most debated issue in Massachusetts health insurance law. In Massachusetts, pre-existing conditions are defined as illnesses for which you have been treated during the six months prior to obtaining your new Massachusetts health insurance policy. Massachusetts health insurance companies can impose exclusion periods on policies during which time they are not obligated to pay for the treatment of pre-existing conditions. The time limit for exclusion periods depends on the type of Massachusetts health insurance policy you have. For instance, for Massachusetts health insurance group plans, the exclusion period limit is only six months. However, if you are self-insured, you may be subject to a twelve-month exclusion period. Massachusetts health insurance companies can also impose a six-month waiting period during which you cannot submit claims if you are self-insured.

Massachusetts health insurance companies are required to immediately cover newborns for the first thirty-one days of life. After that period, parents must file the appropriate paperwork to obtain dependent coverage under their Massachusetts health insurance policies. The same holds true for adopted children. Disabled adult dependents can keep their Massachusetts health insurance coverage in the dependent status past the typical age when dependents are no longer covered. Massachusetts health insurance policyholders must be able to prove that they are the sole sources of support for the disable dependents in order to receive the continued Massachusetts health insurance coverage.

Massachusetts health insurance law also guarantees pregnant women up to twelve weeks of leave time while still covered by the company’s Massachusetts health insurance plan under the Family and Medical Leave Act. However, if the insured individual does not return to work after that period, he or she might be required to pay back part of the premiums that were paid for by the employer.

If an employee leaves a company and therefore loses access to his or her Massachusetts health insurance policy, he or she can apply for a temporary insurance plan called COBRA. COBRA policies are available to any worker who either quits or is fired and is no longer covered under a Massachusetts health insurance group policy. COBRA policies are much more expensive than group policies, because the individual must pay the entire premium without the help of an employer. However, COBRA policies are an excellent temporary option for those seeking Massachusetts health insurance while looking for a new job with medical benefits.

By understanding all of your Massachusetts health insurance rights and options, you can make a better and more informed decision when it comes time to sign your Massachusetts health insurance contract. You can never know enough about your Massachusetts health insurance rights, and by researching several different companies you can rest assured that you will make the right Massachusetts health insurance plan choice.

Massachusetts Health Insurance Programs

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