WCBC

November 9th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

Enrollment is now open for health insurance through Maryland Health Connection.  Individuals who found enrolling in health coverage to be too difficult or too expensive in prior years are encouraged to “Think Again” this year.  Rates are lower for 2019 and plenty of free, expert advisers are located throughout Maryland to help people enroll.

 

Open enrollment began on November 1 and extends through December 15.  For those who enroll in a qualified health plan during open enrollment, coverage will begin January 1, 2019. 

 

Consumers who have coverage through Medicaid will receive a notice when it’s time to renew; enrollment for Medicaid is year-round.  The fall open enrollment is for qualified health plans only.

 

There are numerous ways for individuals to enroll in a health plan:

 

• Meet with an expert advisor who can assist with the enrollment process.  Consumers can walk-in and meet with an expert at the Allegany County Health Department, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm, 12501 Willowbrook Road, Cumberland or call with questions, 301-759-5076.  The Western Maryland Health Insurance Connector, 39 Baltimore Street, 2^nd Floor, Cumberland, also provides assistance.  Call 1-888-202-0212 to make an appointment.

 

• Apply at MarylandHealthConnection.gov, which has been streamlined to make it easier to use this year. Online enrollment is available 20 hours a day, from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. including weekends and holidays.

 

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Use the “Enroll MHC” mobile app available free in the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android).   The camera on your mobile device can be used to securely upload documents if needed. 

 

• Call 1-855-642-8572 toll-free to reach the consumer support center. It offers assistance in more than 200 languages, as well as Relay services for the deaf and hard of hearing. During open enrollment, the call center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, with extended hours during the last week of open enrollment.

 

“We and our many partners are working hard to make it easier and more affordable to get health coverage. The percentage of households with coverage in Maryland has never been higher and we’re striving to do even better,” said Michele Eberle, Executive Director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, which runs Maryland Health Connection.

 

“Nine out of 10 people who enrolled through Maryland Health Connection this year received financial help,” she said. “We urge anyone who has tried and been discouraged from enrolling before to, as the ads say, think again.”