Webinar for Faith Leaders:
Bringing Health Coverage
to Your Communities
June 16, 2015
A service of Maryland Health Benefit Exchange
Maryland Health Connection
Our Mission:
To make health insurance
affordable and accessible for all
Maryland residents.
Maryland Health Connection Overview
Maryland Health Connection…
is the state’s health insurance marketplace for individuals
and families to compare and enroll in coverage.
determines eligibility for Medicaid and financial
assistance for health coverage such as federal
tax credits and cost-sharing reductions.
provides coverage to small businesses and may enable
them to received a tax credit through its Small Business
Health Options Program (SHOP).
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Maryland Health Connection Overview
Enrollment – Year 4
Open Enrollment: November 1, 2016
through January 31, 2017
Enrollment for Medicaid is year-round.
Enrollment for SHOP is year-round.
Certain life events such as marriage,
change in income, becoming pregnant,
and having a child can allow individuals to
enroll in coverage or change plans outside
of the annual open enrollment period.
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Maryland Health Connection Overview
3 Ways to Enroll
www.wmdhealthconnect.org
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Maryland Health Connection Overview
Connector Entity Program
Eight Regional Connector Entities
throughout the state serve as “Boots on
the Ground.”
Interacted with 140,000+ Marylanders
during second Open Enrollment
Provide free in-person education,
eligibility and enrollment assistance for all
Marylanders.
Employ trained and certified navigators to
counsel and enroll residents into Qualified
Health Plans and Medicaid through
Maryland Health Connection.
Navigators also provide information about
eligibility requirement for federal premium
subsidies and cost-sharing assistance.
The Connector Entity for Allegany, Garrett
and Washington Counties
1-888-202-0212
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Goal: Health Coverage for All Marylanders
Everyone Has the Right to Health Care
Maryland has an estimated 584,983 people that do not have
access to health care
Hard-to-Reach
Audience:
– Young Adults ages 18-34
– African American, Latino,
Asian and other ethnic groups
– Women, especially single mothers
– Young, working males
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Goal: Health Coverage for All Marylanders
Uninsured Likely
Medicaid Eligible
Uninsured Likely
Eligible for Subsidies
Maryland Health Connection
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Importance of health coverage
Health coverage is important
Why it matters
• An unexpected illness or injury can happen
to anyone, even to someone who is young
and healthy
• Without health coverage, or without
enough coverage, an illness or injury can
drain your savings
• High medical bills are a leading cause
of personal bankruptcy in the U.S.
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Importance of health coverage
Health insurance = better access to care
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People who DON’T HAVE health coverage are more likely to:
Skip getting medical care that they need
Postpone getting care due to cost
Not fill a prescription due to cost
Have trouble paying medical bills
Have a collection agency contact them about medical bills
People who DO have health coverage are more likely to:
• Get preventive care that prevents illness
• Get earlier treatment for illness or disease
• Have better outcomes for health problems, because of early treatment
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Essential Health Benefits
Medicaid Expansion
More People Now Qualify for Medicaid
• Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance,
has expanded so more people are now eligible
• Apply through Maryland Health Connection (online,
phone or in person) to determine eligibility
• Modernized method uses electronic data; reduces
paper documentation
• Reduces time and simplifies renewal process
Financial Assistance Available
Goal: Health Coverage for All Marylanders
Role of Faith Leaders
We seek to cultivate a relationship and open
dialogue with Maryland’s faith leaders.
Faith leaders provide comfort, direction
and guidance to the community including
concerning health related issues
TRUST most effectively influences
Marylanders.*
The majority of Marylanders go to close
friends, family and faith and community
leaders for health information.*
Ability of community and faith-based organizations
to conduct education campaigns and calls to action
is unmatched.*
* Data based on KRC research completed
for Maryland Health Connection
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Goal: Health Coverage for All Marylanders
How You Can Help
Provide recommendations to
Maryland Health Connection on
strategies to best reach your
community.
Distribute Maryland Health
Connection brochures and
flyers to your congregation
members.
Put a link to Maryland Health
Connection on your website.
Add Maryland Health
Connection information to
weekly bulletins or newsletters.
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Goal: Health Coverage for All Marylanders
How You Can Help
Host Educational Workshops at your
institution on subjects such as:
– The value of health insurance
– Health insurance literacy
– Types of financial assistance for
health insurance
– Immigration concerns around health
insurance.
Refer community members to Maryland
Health Connection or your local Connector
Entity for health coverage.
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Goal: Health Coverage for All Marylanders
How You Can Help
Apply for the Application Counselor Sponsoring Entity
Program (ACSE)
– Application will be opening within the next few weeks.
– Have an in-house Certified Application Counselor
(CAC).
– CACs work one-on-one with individuals to help facilitate
eligibility for free or reduced-cost health coverage
through Maryland Health Connection including:
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Medicaid
Maryland Children’s Health Program
Advanced Premium Tax Credits
Cost-sharing subsidies for health and dental plans.
ACS
Entity
Navigator
Identify congregation members who may be trained
to help fellow community members enroll in health
coverage through Maryland Health Connection
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Online Resources
Resources are available for download at
MarylandHealthConnection.gov on the
Download Center page
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Questions?
Betsy Charlow
Deputy Director, Marketing and
Outreach
[email protected]
Outreach Opportunities
Jenny Garrison
Outreach Coordinator
[email protected]