DHSS: 54,000 Del. residents uninsured as open enrollment begins

In the face of an expected increase in premiums, Delaware officials say it’s crucial for residents without employer-sponsored insurance to take advantage of options to help them pay for private plans through the exchange.

Rita Landgraf, secretary of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), says part of taking advantage of options is knowing what they are to begin with.

Landgraf says the goal as another period of open enrollment opens is bridging the gap for the roughly 54,000 Delaware residents without health insurance.

Delawareans are facing another steep increase in prices, which includes an average rate increase of 32.5 percent in the individual market for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware, which has the biggest individual market share in the state.

Landgraf explains there are options.

“For about 82 percent of Delawareans who purchase insurance off of the marketplace, they’re eligible for the tax credits so with the tax credit, that actually brings down their premiums,” she explains. “I think roughly, the amount of premium is about 150 dollars per month for their premiums.”

As for the remaining 18 percent who are not eligible for tax credits, Landgraf says it all depends on their income with 20 plans to shop around in the Marketplace.

If people can afford coverage but choose not to purchase, they will be subject to penalty fees.

In Delaware, it’s the higher price between 2.5 percent of an annual household income or 695 dollars per person.

There’s also a penalty of 347.50 dollars per child under the age of 18, plus the total of cost of actual health expenses they’ll owe.