# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 6: Binding agreement as condition of participation in connector for eligible small groups > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S6 ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 176Q, sec. 6 - **Heading:** Binding agreement as condition of participation in connector for eligible small groups - **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 6 ## Text Section 6. Eligible small groups seeking to be a participating institution shall, as a condition of participation in the connector, enter in a binding agreement with the connector which, at a minimum, shall stipulate the following:— (a) that the employer agrees that, for the term of agreement, the employer will not offer to eligible individuals to participate in the connector any separate or competing group health plan offering the same, or substantially the same, benefits provided through the connector; (b) that the employer reserves the right to determine, subject to applicable law, the criteria for eligibility, enrollment and participation in the connector and the amounts of the employer contributions, if any, to such health plan, provided that, for the term of the agreement with the connector, the employer agrees not to change or amend any such criteria or contribution amounts at anytime other than during a period designated by the connector for participating employer health plans; (c) that the employers shall participate in a payroll deduction program to facilitate the payment of health benefit plan premium payments by employees to benefit from exclusions from gross income under 26 U.S.C. 104, 105, 106 and 125; and (d) that the employer agrees to make available, in a timely manner, for confidential review by the executive director, any of the employer's documents, records or information that the connector reasonably determines is necessary for the executive director to:— (1) verify that the employer is in compliance with applicable federal and commonwealth laws relating to group health insurance plans, particularly those provisions of such laws relating to non-discrimination in coverage; and (2) verify the eligibility, under the terms of the health plan, of those individuals enrolled in the employer's participating health plan. Section 6. Eligible small groups seeking to be a participating institution shall, as a condition of participation in the connector, enter in a binding agreement with the connector which, at a minimum, shall stipulate the following:— (a) that the employer agrees that, for the term of agreement, the employer will not offer to eligible individuals to participate in the connector any separate or competing group health plan offering the same, or substantially the same, benefits provided through the connector; (b) that the employer reserves the right to determine, subject to applicable law, the criteria for eligibility, enrollment and participation in the connector and the amounts of the employer contributions, if any, to such health plan, provided that, for the term of the agreement with the connector, the employer agrees not to change or amend any such criteria or contribution amounts at anytime other than during a period designated by the connector for participating employer health plans; (c) that the employers shall participate in a payroll deduction program to facilitate the payment of health benefit plan premium payments by employees to benefit from exclusions from gross income under 26 U.S.C. 104, 105, 106 and 125; and (d) that the employer agrees to make available, in a timely manner, for confidential review by the executive director, any of the employer's documents, records or information that the connector reasonably determines is necessary for the executive director to:— (1) verify that the employer is in compliance with applicable federal and commonwealth laws relating to group health insurance plans, particularly those provisions of such laws relating to non-discrimination in coverage; and (2) verify the eligibility, under the terms of the health plan, of those individuals enrolled in the employer's participating health plan. ## 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) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXXII_C176Q_S6. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.