Open Enrollment 2025

Health Insurance Open Enrollment is Here!

It’s that time of year again – Open Enrollment through the Massachusetts Health Connector begins November 1, 2024 and ends January 23, 2025. Open Enrollment is the time of year when individuals and families can apply for health insurance, make changes to their existing applications, or shop for a new plan. Fishing Partnership Navigators are experts at helping fishing families and community members apply for health insurance, and we offer free assistance to any MA resident under the age of 65. Whether you’re a fisherman, shellfisherman, or shoreside fishing industry MA resident, FP Navigators can assist you at no cost.

Here’s what to know about the process and some tips to make it easier along the way.

1. Fishing Partnership Navigators can help anyone in Massachusetts with health insurance enrollment.

Fishing Partnership Navigators are certified and trained at the highest level through the MA Health Connector and MassHealth. If you’re under 65 and a resident of Massachusetts, or have recently moved to Massachusetts, our team of Navigators can assist you. Our offices are conveniently located in New Bedford, Gloucester, Chatham, and Plymouth.

2. Cost Savings Continue: increased access to $0 deductible plans and lower premiums.

Due to the expansion of the ConnectorCare program, more individuals and families across Massachusetts will continue to have access to affordable health insurance, lower premiums, and $0 deductible plans. What does this mean for you? If you have not previously qualified for an affordable health insurance plan through the Health Connector, there may now be more options available to you at a lower cost. Individuals who earn up to $75,300 annually (or a family of four earning up to $156,000) are eligible for more health plan options with lower premiums and fewer out-of-pocket costs.

“I’ve never had to deal with health insurance like this before. I came here from another state and there was no Health Connector there. In attempting to use the Health Connector, I was overwhelmed. And while I can do similar things to help others, I found myself lacking confidence in my abilities to manage this for myself. It means a lot to have had Julia’s support. I did not have any confidence that I was answering correctly. Having Julia go through the application with me was a godsend. She also explained the difference between plans, and I realized I did not need the most expensive plan. She saved my employer and me money.

Julia was recommended to me by my employer, and I allowed myself to take advantage of this wonderful service. As a Navigator, she was able to go into the system from her computer and see what I had already done. She gave me reassurance that I had completed things correctly, which felt really good. She helped me to understand income limits and where I fit into the program, made sure it all got done, and helped me set up my automatic payment plan for it. She did everything she could to help me be successful. I am now enjoying using my new health insurance.


Julia helped me with everything and maintained this really positive disposition. I know now why we need Navigators and she is a great one. It’s my job to help people do things, but when it came to me, I was not as confident as I am walking others through the process. Julia deserves to be commended;
I hope anyone struggling in our area reaches out for her support. Health insurance is so important.”

Kathryn W.

3. Navigators can help self-employed individuals and families

Our Navigators are from fishing families and understand that not all income comes from weekly paychecks and benefits. When assessing your estimated income, our Navigators can help enter your projection for 2025. Their expertise in working with commercial fishermen and predicting even the most uncertain income means our team is ready and willing to tackle any questions you may have during the application and enrollment process.

4. Check your health plan benefits for additional perks.

Many health plans come with additional benefits that can help you and your family access services that you may need. For example, some plans cover fitness reimbursements, vision care discounts, or virtual urgent care. Fishing Partnership Navigators can explain your full list of benefits and coverage, including additional offerings and how to take advantage of them. ConnectorCare plans, in partnership with the Mass Cultural Council, provide discounted admissions to art and cultural institutions for their members. Click the link below to find a complete list of participating institutions: https://www.mahealthconnector.org/learn/plan-information/connectorcare-plans/connectorcare-card-to-culture

5. Already covered? Fishing Partnership can help renew your application and review any changes with you.

If you have insurance through the Health Connector, now is the time to review your information and Fishing Partnership Navigators can assist with the process. Report any changes to your application and pay your premium by December 23, 2024 to ensure coverage begins on January 1, 2025. Even though Open Enrollment ends on January 23, 2025, you may still be eligible to enroll in coverage. Certain life events may qualify you to enroll outside of Open Enrollment, including but not limited to:

  • Birth/Adoption of a child
  • Marriage or Divorce
  • New Resident of Massachusetts
  • Loss of job-based coverage or COBRA
  • Turning 26 & no longer being eligible for a parent’s plan

Massachusetts maintains a mandate for all individuals to have health insurance. Uninsured residents could pay a tax penalty. Don’t risk it, contact a Navigator and get covered today!

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL NAVIGATOR ANY TIME THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY AND OPTIONS. REACH OUT FOR HELP TODAY OR CLICK REQUEST SERVICES AND A NAVIGATOR WILL CONTACT YOU DIRECTLY!

Request Services

Are you or your spouse a fisherman? Do you come from a fishing family? Or, are you a shoreline worker that lives in a coastal community [that's anyone that has a job that supports fishermen getting their product to market and includes boat mechanics, fish cutters and lumpers to name a few]? We're here to help. Complete the Request for Services form and we'll answer your call.

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