Massachusetts health reform builds momentum

But will a physician shortage lead to long waits for enrollees in the state's new insurance plans?

By Doug Trapp, AMNews staff. Oct. 1, 2007.

Washington -- Kelly Tondo and her husband have had health insurance on and off for several years, beginning in 2001 when he left his job to start an espresso machine company.

The Tondos, of Methuen, Mass., tried a family policy through their local chamber of commerce, but the monthly price nearly doubled from $932 in 2004 to $1,735 this year. They tried catastrophic coverage, but it only took care of emergencies.

Their children eventually qualified for Medicaid, but the couple did not find affordable plans for themselves until Massachusetts unveiled its Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector late last year. Now they each pay $106 a month for one of the state-subsidized Commonwealth Care plans. The state waives the $86 monthly Medicaid premium for their kids.

Tondo couldn't be happier. "I would give [the experience] a nine or a 10. I'm just so grateful because I've been through the loop," she said.

The Tondos are two of at least 105,000 people in Massachusetts who signed up for Commonwealth Care plans between Nov. 1, 2006, and Aug. 1, 2007. Those earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level without access to employer-sponsored insurance qualify for these plans. Those earning less than 150% of poverty qualify for free insurance with minimal, if any, co-payments.

Another 5,000 people enrolled in unsubsidized Commonwealth Choice plans between July 1 and Aug. 1, said Dick Powers, spokesman for the Connector Authority, the board implementing the reforms. This coverage is for those earning more than triple the poverty level without access to insurance from an employer.