What to Know About MassHealth and ConnectorCare Changes

Liv Anna Homstead • August 3, 2026

What to Know, What to Do, and Where to Seek Help

The Trump Administration’s changes to Medicaid and subsidized insurance are expected to impact nearly 200,000 people in MA who have MassHealth (Medicaid) or ConnectorCare (subsidized insurance). These changes will restrict eligibility and add work and renewal requirements. Learn more below.

For more background on these changes, check out our previous post.

ConnectorCare

Eligibility Restrictions:

In January 2026, eligibility for ConnectorCare was restricted or eliminated for certain lawfully present immigrants.

ConnectorCare eliminated for:

Refugees
Individuals granted asylum, Individuals with Temporary Protected Status
All other types of lawfully present non-citizens

ConnectorCare restricted for:

Lawfully permanent residents (green card holders)
Cuban and Haitian entrants
Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants lawfully residing in the US

Residents who are no longer eligible for ConnectorCare Plan Type 1 may qualify for MassHealth Limited and the Health Safety Net. Learn more about MassHealth Limited and the Health Safety Net.

Shortened Enrollment:

Starting Fall 2026, the Open Enrollment period for Health Connector is being shortened. The Open Enrollment period will be October 23 through December 23, 2026. Follow information about updates and changes on the Health Connecter website.

What You Can Do:

Make sure your contact information is up to date.
Read and reply to all letters and messages from Health Connector.
Check the Health Connector website for important updates
Get help by contacting a Health Connector Enrollment Assister

MassHealth

There are many changes that will be impacting certain MassHealth members over the next several months. The biggest changes include:

October 2026: Eligibility will be restricted or eliminated for certain lawfully present immigrants
January 2027: New work and education requirements and more frequent renewals for some members

MassHealth will reach out to members directly if you are affected. Follow the latest information on MassHealth’s website. Find out if you are affected by completing their short screener.

Eligibility:

Learn about changes impacting noncitizens.

MassHealth will be eliminated for:

Refugees
Granted parole for at least 1 year
Granted asylum or related relief
From Iraq and Afghanistan on special immigrant visas
Certain abused spouses and children, and victims of trafficking
Native American tribal members born in Canada

MassHealth will be restricted for:

Lawfully permanent residents - after 5 years
Cuban & Haitian entrants
Compact of Free Assn. (COFA) migrants lawfully in the U.S.
Lawfully residing children & pregnant people

New Work and Education Requirements:

The new work and education requirements will require 80 hours per month of work, enrollment in an educational program at least half-time, or some other “qualifying” activities. MassHealth will contact members who will be impacted.

The new federal work and education requirements will mostly impact adults who are 19 through 64 years old and do not have young children, a disability, or a medical condition that significantly impairs your ability to work. Use the MassHealth short screener to see if you could be affected. Learn more about these requirements.

More Frequent Renewals:

The federal government will require some MassHealth members to renew their coverage every six months instead of every 12 months. MassHealth will contact members who are affected.

These changes will mostly impact low-income adults ages 19 through 64 years old. Exemptions apply for people who are pregnant, living with a blindness or disability based on Social Security rules, or certain Native Americans or Alaska Natives. Learn more about the renewals.

What You Can Do: