Massachusetts increases efforts to enroll low-income residents in partially subsidized health coverage by Dec. 31 deadline

Massachusetts health care officials this month are boosting efforts to enroll low-income residents in subsidized health insurance plans as the state approaches the Dec. 31 deadline for all residents to obtain coverage or face tax penalties, the Boston Globe reports.

According to the Globe, more than 100,000 eligible residents have signed up for fully subsidized insurance under the Commonwealth Care program, and about 50,000 additional low-income residents have enrolled in Medicaid. However, the state is experiencing more difficulty enrolling people in partially subsidized plans that require beneficiaries to contribute a premium. Of an estimated 100,000 residents eligible for the partial subsidy, 25,000 have enrolled.

According to the Globe, "The state is counting on comprehensive enrollment so that the premiums paid by healthy people can help subsidize those who are sicker," and hospitals "are counting on seeing fewer uninsured patients" in emergency departments.

Reasons uninsured residents might not enroll in the programs include a fear of contact with the government among immigrants; a sense of pride that keeps some low-income individuals from seeking state aid; and more immediate concerns such as the need for food and shelter trumping the need for insurance, the Globe reports. Other residents might have missed the state-sponsored publicity campaign, find the sign-up process too complicated or confusing, or do not want to pay for care they once received at no cost.

To encourage eligible residents to sign up for coverage, the state will send letters to 45,000 people who used the state's charity care system last year and who have ignored two previous mailings warning them of the $219 tax penalty facing those not insured by Jan. 1, 2008, and informing them that no-cost care no longer will be available. Ten sign-up events also will be held in communities in conjunction with local agencies and politicians. In addition, individual outreach agencies are working through churches, health centers and schools to reach eligible residents (Dembner, Boston Globe, 10/27).