As uninsured population spikes connector offers application in Spanish

As Massachusetts and other states see an increase in the number of uninsured people, the Massachusetts Health Connector announced Tuesday that its online application for coverage through the Connector and MassHealth is now available in Spanish.

Families USA last month estimated that job losses between February and May caused 5.4 million laid-off workers to become uninsured. The sudden surge in the uninsured population shattered the previous record increase from 2008 to 2009, when 3.9 million non-elderly adults became uninsured.

The report estimated that in 2018 there were 171,000 uninsured adults in Massachusetts, or 4 percent of all adults. This year that number shot up by 159,000 to 331,000, or about 8 percent, a 93 percent increase.

"We are pleased to be able offer to Spanish-speaking residents access to our online materials and our application in Spanish," said Louis Gutierrez, the executive director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. "People who are most comfortable reading Spanish can now complete an application, pick a Health Connector plan, and make an online payment using the Spanish-language webpages."

The Connector is the state's health insurance exchange and residents who do not have health insurance from an employer may use it to gain coverage at rates that are more affordable, if people meet eligibility requirements.

People eligible for ConnectorCare coverage receive help paying for premiums and have access to plans with low co-pays, and no deductibles, according to the Connector. A resident who lost coverage from work has 60 days to apply for Health Connector coverage if they would like insurance through the exchange.

New applicants can obtain coverage at any time during the year, and people who qualify for MassHealth receive no-cost or low-cost coverage immediately, the Connector said.