Light blue silhouette of Massachusetts with a person holding medical paperwork. in the background, a phone line starts in western Massachusetts and ends in Boston.

Office of Patient Protection

The Office of Patient Protection (OPP) works effectively to safeguard health care consumer protections in the Commonwealth. OPP strives to address each inquiry, waiver, and external review in a fair and consistent manner. 

OPP’s efforts contribute to the provision of high quality patient care while advancing a more transparent, accountable, and innovative health care system.

Download the OPP Factsheet

Safeguarding health care consumer protections.

Since 2000, OPP, operated by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC), is responsible for regulating and administering certain health care consumer protections for the Commonwealth. OPP is a resource for individuals who want to become more informed and empowered health care consumers. OPP has three primary services that serve those wishing to enroll in health insurance, those who have been denied coverage by a fully-insured Massachusetts health insurance company, and patients of certain health care provider organizations seeking an independent review of a decision about accessing care. OPP also operates a toll-free hotline, providing direct assistance as well as referrals to other state agencies and non-profit organizations.

OPP’s Annual Reports provide a comprehensive overview of activities of the Office.

See OPP Annual Reports.

Request an Open Enrollment Waiver

If you did not purchase health insurance during the last open enrollment period, you may still be eligible to sign up for or enroll in health insurance with a waiver.   
 

Get more information about Requesting an Open Enrollment Waiver.

Request an External Review of a Health Insurance Decision

If your health insurance company recently denied your internal health insurance appeal, you may request an external review of that decision.

Get more information about requesting external review of a Health Insurance Decision.

Request an External Review of a RBPO/ACO Decision

If your health insurance company recently denied your internal RBPO/ACO appeal, you may request an external review of that decision.   
 

Get more information about requesting ab external review of a RBPO/ACO Decision.

Submit an Inquiry

Submit an inquiry if you have a question or issue related to your health care and need assistance to resolve it.

Submit an Inquiry.

Review OPP's Regulations and Guidance.

OPP operates pursuant to statutory and regulatory authority. OPP’s final regulations as well as any currently proposed regulations and notices of public comment are available online along with the HPC’s regulations. OPP also issues guidance to health insurance companies and external review agencies to further clarify the law. OPP makes this guidance public to advance transparency for all who interact with OPP. 

See all documents.

Get in touch with OPP.

Address

Massachusetts Health Policy Commission - Office of Patient Protection (OPP)

50 Milk Street, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02109

Note that the building entrance is located on Devonshire Street.

Staff are onsite only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Parking and directions

Phone

Main

(800) 436-7757             
Translation services available.

TTY and ASCII Users

(800) 720-3480

Voice and Hearing Users

(800) 720-3479         
People who are deaf, hard of hearing, late deafened,        
or speech disabled may reach OPP with MassRelay.