The Massachusetts Health Connector: Lessons Learned from the Builders of the Health Insurance Exchange

Author:

Greg DeBor, Fran Turisco

In 2006, Massachusetts passed a landmark health reform law that requires nearly all residents to purchase health insurance coverage. As part of the law, the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority was established to collaborate with insurers and administer the program. One of the major components is the health insurance exchange. Creating the exchange consisted of four main tasks: 1) design and build an informative and interactive website for consumers, 2) negotiate affordable insurance products that meet the state's "seal of approval," 3) establish a customer service center, and 4) conduct a communication and outreach campaign.

In this paper, CSC details the lessons learned from designing and implementing this health insurance exchange for the state, and offers recommendations for other organizations involved in similar efforts across the country.

Download "The Massachusetts Health Connector" (PDF, 280KB)

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