# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 5: Requirements for health insurance plans and stand-alone vision and dental plans offered through connector

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S5

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 5
- **Heading:** Requirements for health insurance plans and stand-alone vision and dental plans offered through connector
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XXII / Chapter 176Q / Section 5

## Text

Section 5. (a) Only health insurance plans and stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plans that have been authorized by the commissioner and underwritten by a carrier may be offered through the connector. (b) Each health plan or stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plans offered through the connector shall contain a detailed description of benefits offered, including maximums, limitations, exclusions and other benefit limits. (c) No health plan or stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plans shall be offered through the connector that excludes an individual from coverage because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, health status, personal appearance, political affiliation, source of income, or age. (d) Health plans receiving the connector seal of approval shall meet all requirements of health benefit plans as defined in section 1 of chapter 176J; provided, however, in order to encourage lower cost, high quality health benefit plans, that plans shall not be required to meet health care delivery network design provisions in any other law or regulation, and shall be free to contract on a mutually agreed basis with, or determine not to contract with, any provider for covered services; provided, however, that the contracted network meets the requirements set forth by the board of the connector.

Section 5. (a) Only health insurance plans and stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plans that have been authorized by the commissioner and underwritten by a carrier may be offered through the connector.

(b) Each health plan or stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plans offered through the connector shall contain a detailed description of benefits offered, including maximums, limitations, exclusions and other benefit limits.

(c) No health plan or stand-alone vision or stand-alone dental plans shall be offered through the connector that excludes an individual from coverage because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, health status, personal appearance, political affiliation, source of income, or age.

(d) Health plans receiving the connector seal of approval shall meet all requirements of health benefit plans as defined in section 1 of chapter 176J; provided, however, in order to encourage lower cost, high quality health benefit plans, that plans shall not be required to meet health care delivery network design provisions in any other law or regulation, and shall be free to contract on a mutually agreed basis with, or determine not to contract with, any provider for covered services; provided, however, that the contracted network meets the requirements set forth by the board of the connector.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 1 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 2 Commonwealth health insurance connector authority; board; meetings; executive director](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 3 Powers and duties of board](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 4 Health benefit plans and stand-alone vision or dental plans to be offered to eligible individuals and groups](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 5 Requirements for health insurance plans and stand-alone vision and dental plans offered through connector](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 6 Binding agreement as condition of participation in connector for eligible small groups](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 7A Small group wellness incentive pilot program](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S7A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 8 Interagency agreements to furnish information necessary for performance of connector duties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S8.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 10 Seal of approval](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S10.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 11 Enrollment in connector by producer; commission](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S11.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 12 Surcharge to health benefit or stand-alone vision or dental plans; reports; withdrawal of health plan from connector](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S12.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 13 Expenses incurred by connector; liabilities; indemnity and reimbursement; rights and property of connector upon dissolution, etc.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S13.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 14 Accounting; audits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S14.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 15 Study of connector and enrolled persons; written report](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S15.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S5. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.