BOSTON ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT SEASON

The following information was released by the City of Boston:

Boston Public Health Commission's Mayor's Health Line is a free resource for residents who need help navigating coverage options.

Friday, October 23, 2026Open Enrollment season beginstoday,October 23,2026and runs through January 23, 2027, and Mayor Michelle Wu, the City of Boston, andBoston Public Health Commission strongly encourageresidentsto takeadvantage of the numerous coverage options available in Massachusetts and apply for health insurancethrough theMassachusetts Health Connector Marketplace.For those who need help navigating coverage options, free assistance is available through the Boston Public Health Commission's Mayor's Health Line.

"Access to quality health care should never be subject to the whims of any administration, yet the federal government is making it harder and more confusing for people to get covered," saidMayor Michelle Wu. "Healthy communities are what make ourCityvibrant and welcoming, and together with the Boston Public Health Commission and our partners, we are helping residents navigate this complicated process so every Boston resident can maintain their coverage or find alternative options."

"HealthInsurance is one of the best tools we have tokeep people healthy,"saidDr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston. "We wantto keep as many people covered as possible,andourMayor's Health Linestaff are ready to help."

"Enrolling in high-quality health coverage is one of the most important actions individuals can take to protect their health and financial security, and the Health Connector is here to make it as easy as possible for Massachusetts residents," said Audrey Morse Gasteier, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. "Massachusetts continues to lead the nation with its commitment to affordable coverage, and most people who sign up qualify for financial help through our ConnectorCare program. Whether enrolling for the first time or renewing coverage, our team and Navigator partners are here to help residents understand their options and find coverage that meets their needs and budget."

For Boston residents,Mayor's Health Line has staff trained to help with health insurance applicationsthrough theMassachusetts Health Connector Marketplace.Staff can help peopleyear-roundbut onlycertainoptions are availableduring Open Enrollment.The Mayor's Health Line is a free and confidentialresource, and help is available in all languages through multilingual staff who speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Cape Verdean Creole and through a language line service.

Because health insurance is especiallyconfusing this year,the Mayor's Health Line willalsohostwalk-ineventswherepeople canreceivehelp in-person.This is part of Boston's effort to help residentsget andmaintaincoverage.The walk-in events are at the City Hall Pavillion on:

Monday November 9, 2026, 12 - 4p.m.

Wednesday, January 13, 2026,time TBD

In addition to signing up for coverage during Open Enrollment,Mayor's Health Linecan alsoassistresidents who haveMassHealth and may be at risk of losing coverage due tofederal changes to Medicaid requirements, including new work requirements for certainMassHealth membersage19-64who do not have dependent children, a disability, orlimitingmedical condition.These changes areputtinghundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents at risk of gradually losing health insurance coverage, includingnearly 40,000Boston residents.Thereisalso aMassHealth screenerso people candetermineif they will beimpactedby federal changes.

For those who cannot attend the in-person events,residents can call the Mayor's Health Line at617-534-5050to schedule a phone appointment.Additionalin-personevents may be scheduled and shared onboston.gov/mayors-health-line.

Any Massachusetts resident looking for coverage during Open Enrollment canfind options on the Massachusetts Health Connector, a state-based health insurance Marketplace that makes shopping for affordable health and dental coverage easier for individuals, families, and small businesses.People can also compare and purchase plans, apply for subsidies to lower premiums, review eligibility for State programs like MassHealth (Medicaid) and the Health Safety Net, and manage existing coverage. Individuals and families can secure coverage during the Open Enrollment period or within 60 days of a qualifying life event, such as losing job-based coverage or the birth of a child.

In addition to theMassachusettsHealth Connectorand theMayor's Health Line,assistanceis also available for patients at their local community health centers, hospitals, community-based organizations, and walk-in Enrollment Centers. People canlocatea nearby enrollment location on the Health Connector's website.

For residents who qualify, MedicareOpen Enrollment runs from October 15,2026to December 7, 2026, and residents who are 65+ or have qualifying disabilities can sign up for coverage directly from the federalgovernment-run marketplace at medicare.gov. For those who needassistancenavigating Medicare,the Mayor's Health Lineand the City of Boston's Age Strong Commission has trained SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) counselors who can help.Residentscan call Age Strong at 617-635-4366 to make an appointment.