State RegulationsMA specificDifficulty 2/5
Under Massachusetts law implemented in coordination with the Affordable Care Act framework, which body operates the state's health insurance marketplace through which individuals and small employers compare and enroll in coverage?
Select an option to reveal the answer and the full 3-part explanation — free, no signup.
Answer & full 3-part explanation (select an option above, or peek)
Why B is correct
The Massachusetts Health Connector is the quasipublic authority that operates the Commonwealth's health insurance marketplace, with its rules carried in 956 CMR 5.00. Individuals and small employers use the Connector to compare and enroll in plans, and the Connector also administers Massachusetts individual-mandate mechanics under M.G.L. c. 111M. The Massachusetts Division of Insurance regulates carriers, but the marketplace function itself belongs to the Connector.
Why the other options are wrong
- A) The Massachusetts Division of Insurance regulates carriers and market conduct; it does not run the enrollment marketplace, which is the Health Connector's role under 956 CMR 5.00.
- C) The Guaranty Association exists to pay policyholder claims of insolvent insurers; it has no marketplace or enrollment function.
- D) MassHealth provides public health coverage to eligible low-income residents under M.G.L. c. 118E; it is a coverage program, not the comparison-and-enrollment marketplace.
Memory hook
The Connector connects buyers to plans — the DOI polices, the Connector sells the aisle.