Commonwealth Care is a free or subsidized health care coverage program for eligible Massachusetts residents. BMC HealthNet Plan participates in this program. You must qualify for Commonwealth Care first before you can choose BMC HealthNet Plan. There are no deductibles (upfront fees) for Commonwealth Care coverage. Depending on your annual household income, you may pay a premium (monthly fee) that is based on your income. You may also pay a co-pay (fee you pay at the time you receive care) for certain medical services and prescription drugs.

If you choose BMC HealthNet Plan you will be a member of the largest and most popular Commonwealth Care plan in the state. With 59,873 members enrolled in Commonwealth Care as of December 2009, BMC HealthNet Plan holds 40% of overall Commonwealth Care membership of 150,998 statewide. This represents the largest share of membership among all health plans participating in Commonwealth Care at this time.

For more information on Commonwealth Care eligibility and all your health plan options, call the Commonwealth Care Customer Service Center at 877-MA-ENROLL or 877-623-6765 (TTY 877-623-7773) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit www.mahealthconnector.org

If you qualify for Commonwealth Care, you'll be able to:

• regularly see a doctor who gets to know your healthcare needs
• see a specialist *
• go to the hospital*
• get medications – low-cost prescription drugs, and in certain cases, over-the-counter drugs
• get vision services*
• access mental health and substance abuse services

BMC HealthNet Plan members also get:

• Access to a large network of doctors and hospitals, locally and across the state
• Access to our member services department (M-F; 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.) where you can be connected with an individual who speaks your language
• Free 24-hour, seven-day-a-week mental health/substance abuse line
• Free 24-hour, seven-day-a-week Nurse Advice Line
• Free 24-hour, seven-day-a-week Audio Library of health topics
• Help for special health needs like asthma, diabetes, pregnancy, and heart health issues

* For more information on coverage, any restrictions, and guidelines for accessing these services, view BMC HealthNet Plan’s Commonwealth Care Evidence of Coverage. Learn more about copayments.

How Do I Know if I Qualify?

You must apply directly to MassHealth (see How Do I Sign Up below) to find out whether or not you qualify.

In general, you may be eligible for Commonwealth Care if you are a 19-year-old or older Massachusetts resident, AND have been uninsured for the past six months, and you meet ALL of the following:

• You or your family’s income before taxes meets income guidelines, i.e., is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.
• You are a U.S. citizen or a U.S. qualified alien, or alien with special status
• You do not have health insurance through Medicaid/Medicare, through your employer, or through your spouse's employer for the last six months

For more information on eligibility, please visit the Commonwealth Connector site: www.mahealthconnector.org.