Your Voices: Coverage Matters to Maryland Families
With just days left until the January 31 deadline for 2017 coverage, you’ve been sharing your own story of how coverage matters to you and your family.
We’ve talked with Marylanders who need coverage because of life-threatening illnesses or to access important preventive care, many who are saving money with the help of financial assistance like tax credits, and others who value the peace of mind of protecting their loved ones from the unexpected.
We’re sharing some of their stories this week. You can also tell us yours, and hear from more Marylanders like you.
Jose C. got peace of mind and affordable coverage for his wife and four children.
Jose came to Prince George’s County Health Connect with high hopes. He had heard of “Obamacare” and knew that he may be able to save money on health insurance. This was important to him, because he knew he doesn’t bring in much money and has a family of a wife and four children to support.
Jose’s eyes light up when talking about his children. His daughter, 14, is the apple of his eye. His three boys look up to dad, so he wants to give them the best care he can. If his children are hurt he wants to be able to take them to the doctor.
Navigator Greg walked Jose through the enrollment process in about 30 minutes to enroll him and his wife in a qualified health plan, and his children in the Medicaid Children’s Health Program.
Jose was relieved to find out he and his wife qualify for financial help to lower the cost of their plan. He walked past six gray cubicles full of Marylanders enrolling with the help of a navigator or broker, and beamed on the way out. The coverage was “exactly what he wanted,” Jose said, for his children he so cherishes.
Arnold C. of Baltimore. Coverage helps him afford medications after a heart attack.
Baltimore resident Arnold suffered from a heart attack and was left paying for the medical expenses himself because he didn’t have health insurance. Arnold, 54, decided to sign up after he realized he would have to pay a fine for being uninsured, and didn’t have coverage for expensive medications.
He enrolled recently with help from navigator Maureen through our partner HealthCare Access Maryland, and was able to get a plan for about $50 a month. “I’m very happy with my plan; it was much cheaper than I thought,” Arnold said. “Maureen was excellent!”
Emmanuel E. of Prince George’s County. He got in-person to sign up after struggling to understand his insurance options.
Emmanuel got in-person help enrolling in health coverage because he was unsure of what financial assistance he could qualify for, or whether he could even get a health plan. He worked with our partner Prince George’s County Health Connect to quickly enroll in Medicaid coverage, and said he felt at ease with his health plan and less stressed knowing he was covered.
“It’s quick, easy, and stress-free to get help enrolling. Tell people to come here if they’re having trouble!” he said.
Lakisha W. She is grateful to have health insurance even with a pre-existing condition.
Lakisha W. enrolled in Medicaid with the help our partner Prince George’s County Health Connect. “I’m on dialysis, so the ACA not only helped cover the cost of treatment but let me get insurance since I had a preexisting condition.”
About Maryland Health Connection
Maryland Health Connection is Maryland’s official health insurance marketplace for individuals and families to compare plans and enroll in health and dental coverage. It’s the only place to get financial help with health insurance. See if you qualify for financial help like tax credits or Medicaid/MCHP to make health insurance more affordable.
Visit MarylandHealthConnection.gov to enroll, or download our free Enroll MHC mobile app for Android and iPhone. Open Enrollment for 2017 is November 1 to January 31.
