Special Enrollments for Coronavirus Emergency, Tax Filers Allow Uninsured    Additional Opportunities to Enroll Through Maryland Health Connection

BALTIMORE, MD – The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange today announced that more than 21,500 residents have enrolled in coverage through the state’s health insurance marketplace, Maryland Health Connection. Earlier this month, the deadlines for both special enrollment periods were extended to accommodate growing health concerns as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the new tax filing deadline.

The coronavirus special enrollment period, which began a month ago and now runs through June 15, has resulted in more than 19,000 residents obtaining health coverage — 61 percent in Medicaid and the remainder in private insurance, with most of those qualifying for financial help to lower the cost of the plan.

The Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program, a partnership between the Office of Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, has resulted in nearly 2,500 residents getting coverage. The extended deadline for this special enrollment period, now July 15, coincides with the new state income tax filing and payment deadline.

“It is good to see so many Marylanders taking the opportunity that is provided by our special enrollment periods to get coverage for themselves and their families, but many across the state still need health insurance,” said Michele Eberle, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange.

“We want to make sure as many people as possible use these special enrollment periods to get covered,” added Eberle. “We’re doing everything in our power to reach the uninsured, but the reality is that it’s going to take all of us. If you know someone who does not have health insurance, please tell them to visit our website or call our call center. Any eligible uninsured resident who does not have health coverage can get it now, during the coronavirus emergency special enrollment period. So, if you’re reading this right now, do your part and share this information.”

To get coverage through the Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program, it is as simple as checking a box. When prompted on state tax forms (502 and 502B) filers have the option to share information, like household size and income, with the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to see if they are eligible for free or low-cost health insurance. Choosing to check the box will result in Maryland Health Benefit Exchange mailing the tax filer a letter to let them know if they are eligible for free or low-cost health coverage.

To enroll, visit MarylandHealthConnection.gov. Individuals also can download the free “Enroll MHC” mobile app. Free consumer assistance is available by calling 855-642-8572 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.

Help is available in more than 200 languages through the call center, as well as Relay service for the deaf and hard of hearing. Trained navigators and brokers statewide will offer help enrolling over the phone. You can find locations and contact information at MarylandHealthConnection.gov or on the mobile app.

Last year, nine out of 10 Marylanders who enrolled through Maryland Health Connection were eligible for free coverage or financial help to lower the cost of their coverage. This special enrollment period is for private health plans. Those who qualify for Medicaid may enroll any time of year.

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Maryland Health Benefit Exchange: (MHBE) is a public corporation and independent unit of the state government. It was established in 2011 in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) and is responsible for the administration of Maryland Health Connection.

Maryland Health Connection: One of every six Marylanders receive their health coverage through Maryland Health Connection (MHC), the state-based health insurance marketplace. Residents can compare and enroll in health insurance as well as determine eligibility for Medicaid or financial help with private plans.

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Betsy Plunkett, Director, Marketing & Web Strategies

betsy.plunkett@maryland.gov

443-257-3293    

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE, COMPTROLLER OF MARYLAND CREATES AN EASY PATH TO SIGN UP FOR HEALTH COVERAGE

BALTIMORE, MD – The Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program, a partnership between the Office of Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, the agency that runs Maryland Health Connection, will allow uninsured Marylanders to enroll in health insurance through July 15. The extended date coincides with the new state income tax filing and payment deadline, which is now July 15, 2020 due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This year, a new question on state tax forms (502 and 502B) asks tax filers if they want to share some information, like household size and income, with the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to see if they are eligible for free or low-cost health insurance. Since the program began this year, more than 35,000 households have checked the box, and after receiving a notice from Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, have 35 days from the date on the mailed notice to enroll. So far, more than 1,600 have enrolled in health coverage. About 95% have qualified for free or low-cost coverage. And more than 40% of all enrollments have been by young adults ages 18-34, higher than the 30% range more typical for Maryland marketplace enrollments in recent years.

“Health coverage is on everyone’s minds right now. We are glad more than 1,600 people have utilized the Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program to obtain health insurance coverage. In light of the current extension, we’re grateful to both the Comptroller and our carriers for keeping this enrollment period open so individuals and families can get the coverage they need,” said Michele Eberle, executive director of Maryland Health Benefit Exchange.

Free help enrolling is available by phone from trained navigators, brokers and the call center for those who file their taxes before July 15 and check the box on their tax form, at: https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/find-help/

“This pandemic underscores the need to not only protect public health, but also ensure access to affordable health care. The success so far during this tax season demonstrates this check off is working,” said Comptroller Franchot. “The decision to extend both the state income tax filing deadline and the easy enrollment program offers additional and much needed support to Maryland residents during this health and financial crisis.”

Last year, nine out of 10 Marylanders who enrolled through Maryland Health Connection were eligible for free coverage or financial help to lower the cost of their coverage. This special enrollment period is for enrollment in private health plans. Those who qualify for Medicaid may enroll any time of year.

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About the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange: The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) is a public corporation and independent unit of the state government. It was established in 2011 in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) and is responsible for the administration of Maryland Health Connection.

About Maryland Health Connection: One of every six Marylanders receive their health coverage through Maryland Health Connection (MHC), the state-based health insurance marketplace. Residents can compare and enroll in health insurance as well as determine eligibility for Medicaid or financial help with private plans.

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Betsy Plunkett, Director, Marketing & Web Strategies 

betsy.plunkett@maryland.gov

443-257-3293

Susan O’Brien, Director of Communication

Office of the Maryland Comptroller

Sobrien@marylandtaxes.gov or 443-875-8540

2020 enrollment total largest in four years

BALTIMORE (DEC. 17, 2019) – A total of 158,600Marylanders enrolled in private health coverage for 2020 on Maryland Health Connection, the largest enrollment in four years on the state-based health insurance marketplace.

 That was 1,637 more enrollees than a year ago when 156,963 enrolled. It was also the largest enrollment on the health insurance marketplace since 2016 when 162,652 enrolled. Enrollments for 2020 coverage grew in 20 of 24 jurisdictions.

 The 45-day open enrollment period for the coming plan year began Nov. 1 and ended Sunday. A few hundred additional enrollments will be completed this week for consumers who had begun the process but hadn’t finished by Sunday night.

 “We’re happy to continue to get more people into coverage, including many who were previously shut out of the individual market because of pre-existing conditions,” said Michele Eberle, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, which administers Maryland Health Connection. “With a lot of support, we’re helping to drive the state’s uninsured rate to 6 percent, the lowest ever.”

 A “reinsurance” program that Maryland launched with federal approval last year helped reduce average monthly premiums by 10 percent for 2020, after reducing them by 13 percent for 2019.  Gov. Larry Hogan, the General Assembly and the Maryland Insurance Administration worked on the program with MHBE and others to respond to rising premiums, which were felt most by households that were not eligible for federal tax credit help.  That rate reduction applied throughout the individual health insurance market for people who buy their own coverage if they can’t obtain it through their employer or another government program — even if they are ineligible for financial help through Maryland Health Connection.

 Off-exchange enrollment in the individual market for 2020 totaled 56,550 — 50,450 through CareFirst and 6,100 through Kaiser Permanente.

 Total individual market enrollment for 2020 in Maryland, both on and off-exchange, was 215,150 — a 1 percent increase from 212,149 a year ago. That also exceeded by 12 percent the projected enrollment of 192,969 that the actuarial firm Lewis & Ellis Inc. had estimated^[1] last fall for the 2020 individual market with a reinsurance program.

 More enrollments are likely to be added this spring when Maryland becomes the first state in the nation to use state income tax information to enable a special enrollment. Residents who check off on their state tax return that they lack health insurance and wish to be contacted, will be alerted that they qualify for free or low-cost coverage if they act within 35 days.

 Consumers visited MarylandHealthConnection.gov by mobile device nearly a half-million times this open enrollment — 170,000 more times than on a desktop computer for the second straight year. Also, consumer-assistance “navigators” throughout the state assisted with more than 18,000 private plan enrollments.

Enrollments By Residence	2019 Total	2020 Total	% Change
Allegany	1,358	1,500	10%
Anne Arundel	12,036	11,841	-2%
Baltimore	20,547	20,693	1%
Baltimore City	10,061	9,952	-1%
Calvert	1,526	1,628	7%
Caroline	997	1,036	4%
Carroll	3,477	3,483	0%
Cecil	2,402	2,418	1%
Charles	2,550	2,607	2%
Dorchester	911	1,049	15%
Frederick	5,982	6,228	4%
Garrett	1,021	1,082	6%
Harford	4,780	5,042	5%
Howard	9,458	9,460	0%
Kent	597	616	3%
Montgomery	41,763	41,989	1%
Prince George’s	22,674	22,392	-1%
Queen Anne’s	1,545	1,649	7%
St. Mary’s	1,840	1,959	6%
Somerset	662	656	-1%
Talbot	1,418	1,445	2%
Washington	3,808	3,910	3%
Wicomico	3,037	3,221	6%
Worcester	2,513	2,744	9%
Total	156,963	158,600	1%
	2019 Total	2020 Total	% Change
New enrollees	40,870	38,404	-6%
By Demographics	2019 Total	2020 Total	% Change
Young Adults (18-34)	47,278	46,391	-2%
African-American	27,709	27,387	-1%
Hispanic	18,344	18,157	-1%
By Plan Type	2019 Total	2020 Total	% Change
HMO	151,279	152,871	1%
PPO	5,684	5,729	<1%
By Metal Level	2019 Total	2020 Total	% Change
Platinum	1,736	1,955	13%
Gold	43,675	55,421	27%
Silver	74,536	63,364	-15%
Bronze	33,529	34,445	3%
Catastrophic	3,487	3,415	-2%
Financial Help	2019 Total	2020 Total	% Change
With Federal Advance Premium Tax Credits	124,541	121,066	-3%
Without Advance Premium Tax Credits	32,422	37,534	16%
By Carrier	2019 Total	2020 Total	% Change
CareFirst	83,030	96,584	16%
Kaiser Permanente	73,933	62,016	-16%

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Maryland Health Benefit Exchange is a public corporation and independent unit of state government established in 2011 to administer Maryland Health Connection.

Maryland Health Connection is the state-based marketplace for Marylanders to shop and enroll in health insurance, as well as determine eligibility for Medicaid and other assistance programs. It is the only place where Marylanders can access financial help such as tax credits to make coverage more affordable.

Media Contact:

DISTRICT HEIGHTS, MD – Prince George’s County is gearing up for year seven of open enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that begins Nov. 1 through Dec. 15, 2019.  This year, there is only a 45-day turn- around for residents to enroll.   Prince George’s County wants to make sure that everyone who is eligible gets covered. Uninsured and under-insured residents 18 to 64 years of age may be eligible.

While the uninsured rate in Prince George’s County has declined, 90,000 people are currently uninsured; of which 45,000 people are eligible for insurance.  Open enrollment is the primary means for individuals to enroll in health insurance.

“Just having health care isn’t enough.  Having a card isn’t enough; it is also access to services. Part of our job as a County is making sure health care is accessible,” says Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Dr. George Askew.  Having health insurance is critical to achieving optimal health.  Not having health insurance creates daunting challenges for individuals and families for years.  Our goal is to encourage residents to get covered now.”

The Maryland Health Connection (MHC), the state’s official health insurance marketplace, provides private plans for health and dental insurance.  Residents can benefit by getting tax credits or discounts.  Nine out of 10 residents Marylanders, who enroll, qualify for lower costs.  Residents, who qualify for Medicaid, are able to enroll year-round for health plans.

The Department of Social Services (DSS) serves as the lead agency in Prince George’s County to provide outreach, education and enrollment services to residents.   “We want to be able to reach people throughout the community”, says DSS Director Gloria Brown Burnett.  “We are united in Prince George’s County, in providing the critical connection services that would make County residents happier; and healthier.  To do this, we’ve had to create a County network, which continues to be beneficial in reducing the uninsured rate in Prince George’s County.”

Through its Prince George’s County Health Connect Program, a consumer assistance organization under MHC, a network has been created.  Its partnership includes the local DSS sites; the Health Department, and community based-non-profits, which together provide an access network designed to break down some of the barriers that inhibit enrollment.

Bi-lingual, in-person assistance is available at all of the Department of Social Services (DSS) sites in Hyattsville, Temple Hills and Landover; as well as two storefront locations, at La Union Mall in Langley Park, and the newest site at the Penn Station Shopping Center in District Heights.    For a complete listing of locations and hours of operation, visit www.pgchealthconnect.org or call (301) 927-4500.

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Maryland Health Connection (MHC) is the state-based marketplace for Marylanders to shop and enroll in health insurance, as well as determine eligibility for Medicaid and other assistance programs. It is the only place where Marylanders can access financial help such as tax credits to make coverage more affordable.