Where to send your MassHealth Connector payment

MassHealth Connector is the state's health insurance marketplace. If you bought a plan through it, you pay the insurer directly, not MassHealth. Your bill goes to the insurance company you chose — Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tufts, Harvard Pilgrim, or whichever carrier you selected during enrollment.

The insurer's payment instructions appear on your bill and on your member ID card. Most insurers let you pay online through their website, by phone, by mail, or through automatic bank withdrawal. Check your first bill or log into your insurer's member portal to find the exact payment address and online payment option.

If you cannot find your insurer's name or contact details, log into your MassHealth Connector account at mahealthconnector.org. Your enrollment confirmation shows which plan and carrier you chose. From there, search the carrier's website for "pay my bill" or "make a payment".

Key Takeaways

  • You pay your insurance company directly, not MassHealth Connector — the carrier name appears on your bill and member card.
  • Most insurers offer online payment, phone payment, automatic withdrawal, and mail payment options.
  • Your first bill arrives within two to four weeks of enrollment and shows the payment due date and where to send money.
  • If you miss a payment, the insurer may cancel your coverage, usually 30 days after the due date unless you contact them first.
  • You can change your payment method or set up automatic payments through your insurer's member website or by calling customer service.

How payment deadlines work

Your premium is due on the first of each month, though insurers typically give you a grace period of 30 days before they cancel your plan. This means if your January premium is due January 1, you usually have until around February 1 to pay without losing coverage.

The exact grace period depends on your insurer and your plan type. Some plans offer a shorter window. Check your bill or member handbook for your carrier's specific deadline. If you are unsure, call your insurer's customer service line — the number is on your card.

If you pay late but within the grace period, your coverage stays active. Once the grace period ends and you have not paid, the insurer will send a cancellation notice. You then have a short window (usually 10 days) to pay the overdue amount and any late fees to reinstate coverage.

Setting up automatic payments

Automatic payment is the easiest way to avoid missed deadlines. You authorize your insurer to withdraw your premium from your bank account on a set date each month — usually the first or a few days after.

To set up automatic payments, log into your insurer's member portal and look for "payment methods" or "autopay". You will need your bank account number and routing number. Alternatively, call your insurer's customer service line and ask them to set it up over the phone.

You can change or cancel automatic payments at any time through your member account or by calling customer service. If you cancel, you become responsible for paying manually each month. If your bank account changes, update your payment method right away to avoid a failed payment.

What happens if you miss a payment

If your payment is not received by the end of the grace period, your insurer will send you a cancellation notice. This notice tells you the date your coverage will end and how much you owe, including any late fees.

You have a short window — usually 10 days from the notice — to pay the full overdue amount and reinstate your plan. If you do not pay by that date, your coverage ends. You will lose access to your doctor, prescriptions, and hospital care under that plan.

If your coverage is cancelled, you can re-enroll during the next open enrollment period (usually November through January) or if you have a may have access to life event, such as losing other coverage, moving to Massachusetts, or having a change in household income. Until then, you will not have health insurance through MassHealth Connector.

Paying a past-due balance

If you owe money from a previous month, contact your insurer immediately. Explain your situation and ask whether they will accept a payment plan or a lump-sum payment to bring your account current.

Some insurers will work with you if you are behind by one or two months. Others may require full payment before reinstating coverage. The sooner you call, the more options you may have. Do not wait until your coverage is cancelled.

If you cannot afford your premium, check whether you are receiving the correct tax credit or subsidy. Your income may have changed, or you may have reported it incorrectly during enrollment. Contact MassHealth Connector to update your income information — a lower income can increase your subsidy and reduce your monthly bill.

Changing your payment method or amount

You can change how you pay — from mail to online, for example — at any time by logging into your insurer's member portal or calling customer service. The change usually takes effect within one to two billing cycles.

If you want to change your premium amount, you must change your plan or your subsidy level. This happens during open enrollment (November through January) or if you have a may have access to life event. You cannot simply pay less than your bill without changing your plan.

If your income changed and you think your subsidy should be higher, contact MassHealth Connector to update your information. They will recalculate your subsidy, which may lower your monthly premium. This change can happen outside of open enrollment if your income dropped significantly.

Paying by mail or phone

If you prefer not to pay online, you can mail a check or money order to the address on your bill. Include your member ID number on the check so the payment is applied to the correct account. Mail payments typically take 7 to 10 business days to process, so send them early to avoid missing the deadline.

To pay by phone, call the customer service number on your bill or member card. Have your member ID and bank account information or credit card ready. Some insurers charge a small fee for phone payments made by credit card, though bank account payments are usually free.

Keep a record of your payment — a receipt number if you pay online, a cancelled check if you pay by mail, or a confirmation number if you pay by phone. If there is ever a dispute about whether you paid, this record protects you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my MassHealth Connector premium with a credit card?

Most insurers accept credit cards online or by phone, though some charge a processing fee of 2 to 3 percent. Check your insurer's website or call to confirm they accept credit cards and whether there is a fee. Paying by bank account withdrawal is usually free.

What if I cannot afford my premium this month?

Contact your insurer immediately and explain your situation. Some offer short-term payment plans. Also contact MassHealth Connector to check whether your income has changed — if it dropped, your subsidy may increase and lower your bill. Do not skip a payment without talking to your insurer first.

How do I know if my payment was received?

Log into your insurer's member portal and check your account balance. If you paid online, you should see a confirmation number right away. If you paid by mail or phone, allow 7 to 10 business days for the payment to post. Call customer service if you do not see it reflected after that time.

Can I change my payment due date?

Most insurers set the due date as the first of the month and do not allow you to change it. However, if you set up automatic payment, you can often choose the exact date the payment is withdrawn — for example, the 5th or 15th of the month. Check your insurer's member portal or call to see what options they offer.

What if my insurer cancelled my coverage by mistake?

Call your insurer's customer service line immediately with your member ID. Explain that you believe the cancellation was an error. If you did pay on time, provide your proof of payment. If the cancellation was their mistake, they can reinstate your coverage retroactively, sometimes back to the original cancellation date.