Open enrollment begins for coverage under Affordable Care Act

Oct. 29--CUMBERLAND -- Open enrollment for 2016 health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act begins Monday.

Often referred to as Obamacare, enrollment is from Nov. 1 through Jan. 31.

Eligible individuals between ages 18 and 64 can apply via phone, online or by visiting an enrollment center such as the Allegany County Health Department on Willowbrook Road.

A reminder of the approaching open enrollment period was given by health department officials at Monday's semi-annual board of health meeting.

The online sites for enrollment, known as insurance exchanges, were first used by prospective applicants in 2013 for 2014 coverage.

After some technical glitches, particularly with Maryland's online exchange, the process for enrollment improved, said Sandy Sawyers, health department medical assistance supervisor.

"A lot of people were upset and angry. But (the process) has gotten much, much better," said Sawyers.

Those seeking coverage can be reviewed for eligibility for Medicaid or can be transferred to an in-house Affordable Care Act representative, known as a navigator, for assistance, Sawyers said.

Margaret Wright, director of children's health services for the health department, said the volume of people applying for coverage has kept the health department busy.

"We have had to hire two new staff members and the open enrollment has yet to get started," said Wright.

Although enrollment numbers are constantly changing as new people join and others drop off, an estimated 12 million people receive health care coverage through exchanges under the program.

The Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010 by President Barack Obama.

Exchanges opened in 2013.

"You have to sign up by the 15th of the month to get insurance for the next month," said Sawyers.

Allegany and Wicomico counties had the largest uninsured drop in Maryland from 2013 to 2014, according to statistics from the State Health Access Data Assistance Center.

The rate of uninsured individuals in Allegany County fell from from 9.1 percent in 2013 to 4.7 percent in 2014.

The uninsured rate for children, who can be covered under a family plan, also fell from 4.6 percent in 2013 to 1.9 percent in 2014.

For Maryland, the uninsured rate fell from 10.2 percent to 7.9 percent over the same time period.

Health care insurance plans at the exchanges are offered by Cigna, United Healthcare, Evergreen Health and Blue Choice CareFirst.

Plans are arranged in gold, silver and bronze levels with various deductibles and copays offered.

Coverage is based on income with applicants often receiving some level of federal subsidy to help pay the premium cost.

Applicants can't be denied based on pre-existing conditions.

The health department offers computer help for those in need.

"We will help the people who don't like the online. We have a lot who don't want to do the online," said Sawyers.

Coverage is available for folks without health insurance.

Some part-time and full-time employed individuals are eligible.

Learn more.

Greg Larry is a reporter at Cumberland Times-News. To reach him, call 301-876-5329, email glarry@times-news.com and follow him on Twitter.

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