The Baker Administration today released draft regulations for the new employer health assessment designed to close a budget shortfall in the state’s MassHealth program.

Read the Draft Regulations

The regulations, published by the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), explain details of how the new Employer Medical Assistance Contribution (EMAC) supplement will be administered. The EMAC supplement is a new wage tax, levied on employers who have certain workers enrolled in either the MassHealth program or subsidized Health Connector coverage. 

1. Employers with six or more employees will access their estimated liability for the EMAC supplement quarterly, via their DUA online account when they provide their quarterly wage filing;
2. Detailed information will be provided as to the number of their employees on MassHealth or subsidized Connector coverage;
3. Employers have 10 days from receipt of this information to appeal their determination of liability to the DUA.

The draft regulationsare available for public review and response. The Department will hold five listening sessions, across the state, to allow employers and interested parties to provide in-person feedback:

• Boston | November 13 | 1-3 pm | Hurley Building
• Springfield | November 14 | 10 am – nooon | Department of Industrial Accidents office
• Worcester | November 15 | 2-4 pm | Department of Industrial Accidents office
• Lawrence | November 16 | 10 am – noon | Department of Transitional Assistance.

A fifth session will be scheduled on Cape Cod.

Questions and suggestions may also be shared with the Department electronically.