As of December of 2010, a Massachusetts law was passed stating that individuals and families (know as "non-groups") can only purchase health insurance during the open enrollment period. The open enrollment period in Massachusetts is November 1st - January 23rd, every year.
Yes, there are exceptions. If you have experienced a "qualifying event", you may be able to get health insurance outside of an open enrollment period.
If you have had an involuntary loss of health coverage within the last 63 days because you:
1.) were laid off from a job that was providing medical benefits.
2.) have exhausted all of your COBRA benefits.(Usually 18 months following a job layoff.)
3.) just moved here from another state.
4.) just turned 27 and can no longer be on your parent's plan.
Although everyone in Massachusetts has been required to have health insurance for several years, some individuals waited until they needed expensive health care to purchase insurance and then dropped the coverage after the treatment ended, a practice that contributed to health insurance rate increases. The legislature created open enrollment to address this problem.
No. Businesses and self-employed can still get health insurance the first of any month.
No. Businesses and self-employed people can change to another health insurance carrier (company) the first of any month.
That's a really good question. Perhaps you weren't aware that there are health insurance brokers that can help you shop all of the other carriers at no charge to you?
That's another good question. Health Insurance brokers work on commision. And their commission is paid by the health insurance carriers (companies). We make the same flat commission from all of the different companies. So we shop all of the carriers for you without any bias. No matter which company or plan you choose, we make the same flat commission. We are working for you, to get you a plan that best fits your particular circumstances.