Massachusetts is ranked among the top ten states in 11 of 22 categories measured in the 2009 ranking of the healthiest states by the United Health Foundation. So this year, it's even closer to the top in the overall ranking, moving up to #3 this year.
The good news:
The bad news:
The state's best and worst category rankings:
See the United Health Foundation's latest findings on Massachusetts.
No, Massachusetts does not offer its own risk pool for its citizens who are medically uninsurable.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Starting in 2010, Massachusetts will offer health coverage to residents through the federally established temporary high-risk pool program. To find out more about Massachusetts's participation, click here.
Risk pools are state-sponsored programs to help people with a history of medical problems in their family to purchase coverage. These pools are for people who can afford to buy health insurance, but are not able to get underwritten in the private market because of a pre-existing health condition. These programs can vary significantly from state to state in price, benefits and number of people served. Often insurance companies doing business in the state are required to contribute to the pool to keep it in the black. In the best cases, they allow people to be able to switch jobs or become self-employed without the fear of losing their health insurance coverage. Read more about risk pools here.
Cover The Uninsured is a national effort to highlight the fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and to demand solutions from our nation's leaders. Read more information on its efforts. It is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute has researched and written state-by-state guides for finding and keeping health insurance. It updates these guides as federal and state policies change. A number of non-profit organizations help fund its research. Learn more about the Health Policy Institute.
Review Georgetown's guide for Massachusetts.
US News does an annual ranking of what it considers the best health insurance plans in each state.
Visit its reports on various health insurance or medical insurance plans being offered in Massachusetts.
State-provided info on health insurance -- from the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. Includes info on the Massachusetts Health Care Reform law, under which all citizens 18 and over are required to purchase insurance.
MassHealth Services -- MassHealth pays for health care for certain low- and medium-income people living in the state, including a program for individuals who are HIV positive. MassHealth also manages the Insurance Partnership for small businesses, the Children's Medical Security Plan, Healthy Start, and the Special Kids/Special Care Pilot Program, cosponsored with the Department of Social Services.
Children's Medical Security Plan -- for children under the age of 19 who are Massachusetts residents at any income level, who do not qualify for MassHealth (except MassHealth Limited), and who are uninsured.
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Health insurance companies in Massachusetts. Get health plan pricing for these companies. |
Contact your federal officials. All Americans need your help to demand that Congress continue to support health care legislation that will make health insurance affordable and accessible to all Americans.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick
Office of the Governor, Room 360
Boston, MA 02133
PHONE: 617-725-4005
FAX: 617.727.9725
More offices
Contact by e-mail
Contact your Massachusetts State Senator
Contact your Massachusetts State Representative
Read more on Health Care Reform!
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Individual health insurance an overview for those without employer-sponsored plans
Health insurance scams: tips for defending yourself from insurance fraud |
Private health insurance: background on the "American way" of paying for health care Self-employed health insurance: how to get – and keep – your health coverage |
Find licensed physicians near you. Each state is home to organizations that can help you find and research physicians, offering online information about a physician's license, schooling, practice information and more.
Massachusetts Licensee Search