Boston Chron - Boston Encourages Residents to Apply for Health Insurance during Open Enrollment Season

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Friday, October 23, 2026 – Open Enrollment season begins today, October 23, 2026 and runs through January 23, 2027, and Mayor Michelle Wu, the City of Boston, and Boston Public Health Commission strongly encourage residents to take advantage of the numerous coverage options available in Massachusetts and apply for health insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector Marketplace. For those who need help navigating coverage options, free assistance is available through the Boston Public Health Commission's Mayor's Health Line.

"Access to quality health care should never be subject to the whims of any administration, yet the federal government is making it harder and more confusing for people to get covered," said Mayor Michelle Wu. "Healthy communities are what make our City vibrant and welcoming, and together with the Boston Public Health Commission and our partners, we are helping residents navigate this complicated process so every Boston resident can maintain their coverage or find alternative options."

"Health Insurance is one of the best tools we have to keep people healthy," said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston. "We want to keep as many people covered as possible, and our Mayor's Health Line staff are ready to help."

"Enrolling in high-quality health coverage is one of the most important actions individuals can take to protect their health and financial security, and the Health Connector is here to make it as easy as possible for Massachusetts residents," said Audrey Morse Gasteier, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. "Massachusetts continues to lead the nation with its commitment to affordable coverage, and most people who sign up qualify for financial help through our ConnectorCare program. Whether enrolling for the first time or renewing coverage, our team and Navigator partners are here to help residents understand their options and find coverage that meets their needs and budget."

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For Boston residents, Mayor's Health Line has staff trained to help with health insurance applications through the Massachusetts Health Connector Marketplace. Staff can help people year-round but only certain options are available during Open Enrollment. The Mayor's Health Line is a free and confidential resource, and help is available in all languages through multilingual staff who speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Cape Verdean Creole and through a language line service.

Because health insurance is especially confusing this year, the Mayor's Health Line will also host walk-in events where people can receive help in-person. This is part of Boston's effort to help residents get and maintain coverage. The walk-in events are at the City Hall Pavillion on:

Monday November 9, 2026, 12 - 4 p.m.
Wednesday, January 13, 2026, time TBD

In addition to signing up for coverage during Open Enrollment, Mayor's Health Line can also assist residents who have MassHealth and may be at risk of losing coverage due to federal changes to Medicaid requirements, including new work requirements for certain MassHealth members age 19-64 who do not have dependent children, a disability, or limiting medical condition. These changes are putting hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts residents at risk of gradually losing health insurance coverage, including nearly 40,000 Boston residents. There is also a MassHealth screener so people can determine if they will be impacted by federal changes.

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For those who cannot attend the in-person events, residents can call the Mayor's Health Line at 617-534-5050 to schedule a phone appointment. Additional in-person events may be scheduled and shared on boston.gov/mayors-health-line.

Any Massachusetts resident looking for coverage during Open Enrollment can find options on the Massachusetts Health Connector, a state-based health insurance Marketplace that makes shopping for affordable health and dental coverage easier for individuals, families, and small businesses. People can also compare and purchase plans, apply for subsidies to lower premiums, review eligibility for State programs like MassHealth (Medicaid) and the Health Safety Net, and manage existing coverage. Individuals and families can secure coverage during the Open Enrollment period or within 60 days of a qualifying life event, such as losing job-based coverage or the birth of a child.

In addition to the Massachusetts Health Connector and the Mayor's Health Line, assistance is also available for patients at their local community health centers, hospitals, community-based organizations, and walk-in Enrollment Centers. People can locate a nearby enrollment location on the Health Connector's website.

For residents who qualify, Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15, 2026 to December 7, 2026, and residents who are 65+ or have qualifying disabilities can sign up for coverage directly from the federal government-run marketplace at medicare.gov. For those who need assistance navigating Medicare, the Mayor's Health Line and the City of Boston's Age Strong Commission has trained SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) counselors who can help. Residents can call Age Strong at 617-635-4366 to make an appointment.

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