Health insurance open enrollment starts in Mass. as coverage concerns grow. How to get help

Open enrollment for health insurance in Massachusetts kicks off Oct. 23 and Boston officials are urging residents to take advantage of free city resources to navigate the often-complicated application process.

The enrollment period, which runs through Jan. 23, 2027, comes at a critical time, according to a press release from the Boston Public Health Commission. Federal changes to Medicaid requirements that took effect in October threaten to strip MassHealth coverage from hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents, including nearly 40,000 people living in Boston, the commission wrote.

To prevent gaps in coverage, the city is directing residents to the Mayor’s Health Line, a free, confidential service staffed by multilingual experts who can help individuals apply for insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector.

“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,” Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement. “Healthy communities are what make our City vibrant 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.”

The Massachusetts Health Connector is a state-based marketplace where individuals, families and small businesses can compare plans, apply for premium subsidies and check their eligibility for state programs like MassHealth and the Health Safety Net.

“Health Insurance is one of the best tools we have to keep people healthy,” Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, commissioner of public health for the City of Boston, said in a statement. “We want to keep as many people covered as possible, and our Mayor’s Health Line staff are ready to help.”

Residents seeking help can call the Mayor’s Health Line at 617-534-5050 to schedule a phone appointment. The staff speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole and Cape Verdean Creole, and also utilizes a language line service to accommodate other languages.

For those who prefer face-to-face assistance, the city will host walk-in enrollment events at the City Hall Pavilion. Scheduled sessions include Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m., and Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2027, with the time yet to be determined. Additional in-person events will be announced on the Mayor’s Health Line website.

In addition to the city’s resources, walk-in enrollment centers, local community health centers, hospitals and community-based organizations are available to help patients secure coverage.

Meanwhile, Medicare open enrollment is already underway for eligible residents 65 and older or those with qualifying disabilities. The Medicare window runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Residents can apply directly through the federal marketplace at medicare.gov.

Older adults needing assistance with Medicare options can reach out to the City of Boston’s Age Strong Commission, which provides trained SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) counselors.

Appointments with Age Strong can be made by calling 617-635-4366.

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