Earlier in the month the state of Massachusetts unveiled its new state-sponsored health insurance, Commonwealth Care, aimed at providing coverage for those who cannot afford private insurance. Now local hospitals and health-care centers are bracing for a flood of applications.

The first group of Massachusetts residents eligible to enroll in the program are those with earnings below the federal poverty level who currently have no health insurance. Estimates place this group as 62,000 statewide. They have already begun to receive letters with instructions on the enrollment process.

The second group, however, is the one health care officials expect to flood the program with applications. In January, those individuals who earn more than the federal poverty level but who still cannot afford private insurance rates may join the Commonwealth Care system. Although they will be required to pay a premium to enroll and will be responsible for co-payments on prescriptions and doctors' visits, the program represents a huge improvement in their insurance coverage potential.

Joan Fallon, the spokeswoman for the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority, which has been set up to implement the Commonwealth Care program, said her office will be monitoring the first round of sign-ups to see what can be done to improve the second round.

"We're hoping that people take advantage of the phone number we've provided for information on the program. We don't expect that community health centers and hospitals will have to deal with everyone who wants to enroll," Fallon said.

Although hospitals and health centers are apprehensive about the initial rush to establish the system, they are still highly receptive to the program and all too conscious of the numbers of people who have fallen between the insurance cracks. Previously these institutions have had to bear much of the financial burden for patients without insurance, so the program actually represents an economic boon to such health care facilities.