Frequently asked questions
- Network Health is a comprehensive health plan that provides access to affordable, high-quality health care for eligible people who live in Massachusetts who cannot otherwise afford it.
- We serve more than 160,000 members in more than 300 cities and towns.
- We partner with a large and growing network of more than 18,000 primary care providers, specialists, hospitals, and community organizations to coordinate care.
What is the difference between Network Health Together and Network Health Forward? What is the difference between MassHealth and Network Health Together, your MassHealth plan?
- MassHealth is the Medicaid program in Massachusetts that pays part or all of the health care insurance costs for people who qualify.
- Network Health Together is one of several health plans available to your employees if eligible for MassHealth.
What is the difference between Commonwealth Care and Network Health Forward, your Commonwealth Care plan?
- Commonwealth Care is a state-subsidized insurance program that the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority (the Connector) runs. This program connects eligible Massachusetts residents with approved health plans, and helps them pay for health care.
- Network Health Forward is one of several health plans available to your employees if eligible for Commonwealth Care. With Network Health Forward, your employees get comprehensive high-quality, low-cost health care and many additional benefits and services.
Are my employees eligible? Your employees and their families may be eligible for Network Health Forward or Network Health Together if they:
- Are U.S. citizens
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, U.S. nationals, eligible residents, or residents with special status
- Do not qualify for your employee plan
- Are Massachusetts residents
- Are age 19 or older (for Commonwealth Care)
- Are age 0-64 (for MassHealth)
- Have a yearly income before taxes of $32,496 or less for an individual, or $66,156 or less for a family of four. View additional family sizes.
I am not required to offer health insurance to my employees. How can Network Health help me? Although you may not have to offer health insurance to your employees, almost all Massachusetts residents must have health insurance. There’s a good chance your employees do not know how to find affordable, high-quality health insurance. We can help them access the health coverage they need to stay healthy — and that’s good for your business. Insured employees are healthier, more productive, and miss less work.
We can provide free informational materials in many languages to keep at your workplace, and would be happy to schedule a visit to guide your employees through the enrollment process.
Will this cost me anything? No, our plans will not cost you anything as an employer. Your employees will either pay nothing, or a low monthly premium, depending on their income and family size, and where they live in Massachusetts.
We can help you help your uninsured workers get affordable health care, at no cost to you.
What benefits will my employees get? We offer all MassHealth and Commonwealth Care benefits, plus many additional benefits and services. View a complete list of Network Health Forward and Network Health Together benefits.
How can I help my employees apply? Your uninsured workers must first become members of MassHealth or Commonwealth Care to enroll in Network Health. We can help them apply to MassHealth or Commonwealth Care.
- You can ask us to come to your workplace, answer all your questions, and guide your employees through the application process.
- We can also help over the phone. Your employees can call us at 888-257-1985 (TTY: 877-623-7773), Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What happens after employees enroll? Within the first month of Network Health membership, new members get:
- Member ID card, within two weeks of enrollment.
- New member packet, which includes a Member Handbook, Provider Directory, extra benefit information, a Health Risk Assessment (HRA) survey, and a pharmacy listing, within two weeks of enrollment.
- Welcome phone call, which gives new members important information about their extra benefits, how to choose or change a PCP, and answers to any questions, within three weeks of enrollment.