Open enrollment for MD Health Connection begins on Nov. 1st
MARYLAND – The annual open enrollment for the Maryland Health Connection is fast approaching, starting on November 1st.
Financial Help Available
Those buying their own health insurance could stand to benefit from state and federal funding aimed at knocking down coverage prices.
“We received that originally through the American Rescue Plan Act. We were worried that we were going to lose it. But, we were able to continue it through the federal Inflation Reduction Act,” said Executive Director of Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, Michele Eberle. “Anyone, no matter what their income is, is eligible for a tax credit, as long as the plan is less than 8.5% of their income.”
Plus, Eberle says younger Marylanders can get more financial help on top of that. The Youth Adult Subsidy Program is designed for those between the ages of 18 and 35 years old. For example, Eberle says a 28-year-old living in Baltimore, making about $32,000 per year, could get a health plan for as low as $17 per month.
Eberle adds that if you have employer sponsored health coverage, and you cannot afford to cover your whole family, there is an option for the family to get tax credits through the the Exchange.
Public Health Emergency Winding Down
The Medicaid public health emergency is set to expire at the end of January, 2023. Eberle says those who have received free health insurance will now need to buy coverage if they no longer qualify for the free plans.
“Maryland is in a much better place than other states around the nation with regard to the public health emergency unwinding. That’s because we already have an integrated system with Medicaid,” said Eberle. “So, when you apply through Maryland Health Connection, depending on your income you’ll either go the path of the commercial private plan, or you’ll go through the state public health plan, Medicaid. Because we have that integrated system, we already know who needs what coverage.”
Eberle says such customers could include those who have turned 65 years old, and must now get Medicare coverage.
“We are working very closely with the Department of Health, and we’re doing a lot of communication and direct outreach to Medicaid consumers to make sure that they know there’s other options free or low cost plans available through Maryland Health Connection,” said Eberle.
Get An Estimate
Maryland Health Connection has also launched a new tool to help customers navigate which plan fits them best. The Get An Estimate tool can be found on their app or website.
Eberle says the process is easy: enter your address, age, income, what kind of coverage and health needs you may have. Then, the tool will generate a list of plans that might work best for you.
“You’ll see right away, based on the information you’ve put in, you’re eligible for how much of a federal tax credit, and how much of a state subsidy for the young adult financial assistance. And then, we’ll show you all the plans,” said Eberle.
