State marketplace’s health insurance enrollment opens

Nov. 1--Friday marks the beginning of the open enrollment period for health insurance through the state's marketplace.

People may purchase qualified health plans, offered by Kaiser Permanente or CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, through the Maryland Health Connection from 5 a.m. Friday until Dec. 15.

Three types of plans are being offered: CareFirst Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), CareFirst Preferred Provider Organization and Kaiser Permanente. There are three levels -- bronze, silver and gold -- being offered for CareFirst plans and bronze through platinum plans offered under Kaiser Permanente. Higher-level plans have higher premiums and a lower deductible.

This year, health insurance premiums, which is the monthly cost of the plan, went down by 10 percent on average, said Michele Eberle, executive director of Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, which operates Maryland Health Connection.

As an example, she said, the CareFirst HMO silver plan was $341 in 2019, compared with $383 in 2018. HMOs are typically cheaper plans.

This year, the Maryland Health Connection is also offering value plans for each level. Under value plans, several services are covered before the deductible is met. For the lowest plan, the bronze value plan, one each of primary care, specialist and urgent care visits will be covered before the deductible is met. The higher-level plans offer more services.

There was about a 2.2 percent growth in 2018 of people buying plans through Maryland Health Connection, Eberle said.

"People want health insurance," Eberle said.

Most people who enroll in plans through the health exchange are not employed, Eberle said. Some are people ages 55 to 65 who do not yet qualify for Medicare.

Others are freelancers or small-business employees that do not get insurance through their companies.

Those looking for help can call 855-642-8572 to speak with a navigator who can walk them through the plans. There is also a mobile app (EnrollMHC) or information on the website at marylandhealthconnection.gov.

The Frederick County Health Department will also help people with their insurance plans on a walk-in basis.

From 8 am. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, navigators and caseworkers will help people understand their eligibility and options for health insurance, said Lauren Hart, supervisor of the Medical Care Program.

This is the busiest time of the year, said Kalie Pearson, a team leader with HealthCare Across Maryland. Last year, navigators with the health department enrolled 363 people.

There is a rush at the end of the enrollment period, so Pearson recommends people come in early.

People who come in need to make sure they bring in proof of income and immigration documents, Hart said. They will first see if a person qualifies for Medicaid before looking at the qualified health plans.

There are several reasons to get health insurance, said Kristin Saurborn, a navigator with the Frederick County Health Department. It provides some protection against annual out-of-pocket costs by providing a maximum cap. They also provide preventive care.

"Life is a risk," Saurborn said. "You never know what's going to happen next."

Follow Heather Mongilio on Twitter: @HMongilio.

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