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Health Connector board approves final 2027 affordability schedule; penalty formula clarified
Summary
The Health Connector Board voted to adopt the final Affordability Schedule for 2027, which determines whether residents face the states individual-mandate tax penalty; staff said the penalty is calculated as half the lowest available plan cost and reported a 7% enrollment contraction tied to recent federal changes.
The Board of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority on May 14 voted to adopt the final Affordability Schedule for calendar year 2027, a regulation that determines whether an uninsured Massachusetts resident is subject to the states individual-mandate tax penalty.
Kayla Scire, who presented the item, told the Board staff had released the proposed schedule for public comment after the February meeting and received no comments on the draft. Scire described the schedules role: it determines whether a resident must pay a penalty for forgoing coverage or is exempt because available coverage would have been too costly to require.
Board members pressed staff on affordability concerns. Rebecca Gutman raised the impact on 1199 union members and asked about exemption reasons; Scire said individuals may appeal and reiterated that all ConnectorCare plans meet the states Minimum Creditable Coverage (MCC) standards. Executive Director Audrey Morse Gasteier told the Board the penalty is calculated as "half of the lowest plan costs available to the individual." Gasteier also said federal changes and the lapse of enhanced premium tax credits contributed to a 7 percent contraction in enrollment and that staff are using every tool available to maintain access to coverage.
After discussion, the Board voted to approve staffs recommendation and adopt the final Affordability Schedules for individuals, couples, and families for calendar year 2027.
The vote concludes the Connectors administrative process on this item; Scire and staff said they will make additional follow-ups with Board members who requested more detail on exemptions and historical trends.
