Prince George’s County Health Connect to Host Health Insurance Enrollment Fair At Deerfield Run Community Center

Landover, MD–Prince George’s County residents will have an opportunity to shop, browse, and select new health and dental plans with the help of trained experts at the first kick-off event of the 2017 Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment season, on Saturday, November 5, 2016, from 10 am to 2 pm at Deerfield Run Recreation Center, 13000 Laurel-Bowie Road, Laurel, MD. Prince George’s County Health Connect is the County’s consumer assistance organization authorized to enroll consumers on Maryland Health Connection (MHC), the state marketplace for health coverage.

Open enrollment began Nov. 1, 2016 and will end Jan. 31, 2017. Under the ACA, residents 18 to 64 years of age must have coverage. Participants will be able to choose from approximately 37 plan options offered by health insurance carriers, Medicaid and Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP).
Maryland Health Connection is the only place for Marylanders to access federal tax credits and discounts. Participants can get help applying for discounts, including tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies that can be used to lower the cost of insurance. The penalty for 2017 is $700 or more per adult in the household. Enrollment by Dec. 15 will guarantee coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2017.

“Prince George’s County’s motto is ‘Get Covered, Get Seen, Get Healthy’. We look forward to reaching the remaining uninsured and providing quality assistance to those who need to enroll, renew, or change their plans,” said Gloria Brown- Burnett, Director, Prince George’s County Department of Social Services.

“Last year, 9 out of 10 Marylanders who enrolled on Maryland Health Connection got financial help with their plans,” said Jonathan N. Kromm, Acting Executive Director of Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, which administers the state’s health insurance marketplace. “We encourage consumers to visit MarylandHealthConnection.gov or download our new mobile app, Enroll MHC, to find out what type of financial assistance is available. Also, plans and prices change each year, so shop and compare 2017 plans to find the best options for yourself and your family.”

To enroll in health insurance, individuals can apply at MarylandHealthConnection.gov or download the Enroll MHC app available through Google and App stores. For individuals who want in-person assistance through Prince George’s County Health Connect, go to www.PGCHealthConnect.org; or call the Consumer Assistance Call Center, (301) 927-4500.