MARYLAND LAUNCHES HEALTH INSURANCE CONSUMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO READY RESIDENTS AND SMALL EMPLOYERS FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT THROUGH MARYLAND HEALTH CONNECTION
The Worcester County Health Department will receive an anticipated $1.2 million in grant funding to provide education, outreach, eligibility and enrollment services for the nearly 23,100 uninsured residents in the counties it serves. The intent of the regional approach is to ensure that all populations are reached including those with Limited English Proficiency, disabilities or those that may be in underserved communities.
“I’m proud to announce this important investment in Maryland’s health care system,” said Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. “By working together to implement the Affordable Care Act, we aren’t just helping Marylanders get the care they need, we’re also creating over 300 jobs across our state.”
“Creating a customized outreach program for each region will allow the navigators to address the specific needs and resources of Marylanders throughout the state,” said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, Secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and chair of the Board of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange
“We are honored to be selected as the connector entity for the Lower Eastern Shore,” said Worcester County Health Officer Deborah Goeller. “We look forward to working with our state and local partners to help people select health plans offered through Maryland Health Connection.”
The Worcester County Health Department will employ a workforce of 17 navigators and assisters to provide outreach and education, with a particular focus on hard-to-reach populations. Trained and certified navigators will counsel and enroll residents into qualified health plans and Medicaid through Maryland Health Connection, the state-based insurance marketplace scheduled to open on October 1, 2013. Non-certified personnel, known as “assisters,” will be trained to provide information, assistance and enrollment into Medicaid. Navigators and assisters will provide information about eligibility requirements for federal premium subsidies and cost-sharing assistance, and assess eligibility requirements for Medicaid and Maryland Children’s Health Program.
“The Worcester County Health Department is a strong and trusted partner in the communities it serves and will be a great connector entity to help educate and enroll the residents on the Eastern Shore,” said Rebecca Pearce, Executive Director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange.
Navigators and in-person assisters will provide referrals to appropriate agencies, including the Attorney General’s Health Education and Advocacy Unit (HEAU) and the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) for applicants and enrollees with grievances, complaints, questions or the need for other social services through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Department of Human Resources (Social Services).
