Media Release

MARYLAND HEALTH BENEFIT EXCHANGE CELEBRATES

TOP AUTHORIZED HEALTH INSURANCE BROKERS

BALTIMORE (May 6, 2024) – Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) celebrated the top 100 Maryland Health Connection (MHC) authorized brokers today at the Broker Achievement Awards event held at Maryland Live! This year, brokers were recognized for their outstanding commitment and dedication to helping 213,895 Marylanders enroll in health insurance coverage in 2024 – a 17% increase from the previous year. This year’s enrollment numbers were the highest since MHBE’s inception in 2011. Four brokers also were recognized for their outstanding efforts.

 

These top brokers recognized during the Broker Achievement Awards were Amber Hyde, co-founder of All About Benefits LLC, in Glen Burnie, MD for highest enrollment in the MHC for Small Business category; Wonde Desalegn, of Spring Financial Services, in Silver Spring, MD for highest enrollment in the Individual Market; Kimberly Dickerson of Main Line Benefits, in Baltimore, MD for new MHC top broker; and Jon Levine of Viking Benefit Solutions in Ellicott City, MD for top broker in the Broker Assistance Transfer or BATPhone category. The Broker Assistance Transfer is a program developed by MHBE to help Marylanders who call the call center and need help choosing a plan get transferred to an authorized broker for individualized service. Photos and bios of each of the top four winners are attached. 

 

In addition, MHBE celebrated the top 100 brokers for their perseverance and sales performance in the small business and individual market categories. A list of all recognized brokers is on the MHBE website at marylandhbe.com.

 

“Maryland Health Benefit Exchange is proud to celebrate our key partners for their dedication and commitment to helping Marylanders enroll in quality, affordable health coverage,” said Michele Eberle, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. “A record number of Marylanders enrolled in health coverage through Maryland Health Connection for 2024, and we want to take this opportunity to thank and recognize all of our authorized brokers for their continued efforts and outstanding customer service,” Eberle continued.

 

Several factors contributed to the record growth:

• More than 14,000 people no longer eligible for Medicaid following the end of the pandemic public health emergency enrolled in private health insurance through Maryland Health Connection. Most qualified for federal tax credits that lowered their out-of-pocket costs. That was nearly four times as many as the 3,000 who transitioned from Medicaid into private plans during open enrollment one year ago. The 14,089 also represented nearly half of the 31,729 additional total enrollments for 2024 compared to 2023.
• More than 50,000 young adults qualified for additional financial help offered by the state of Maryland, the only one of its type in the country. It lowered their health insurance premiums by about $450 a year on average. The Maryland legislature last year extended that program through 2025 and this year, Maryland Health Connection expanded it to cover young adults from 18 to 37. It previously covered Marylanders up to 34 years old. Young adults typically lack health coverage by comparison to other age groups. Their participation helps lower costs for all.
• This is the third full year federal tax credits were increased and expanded to provide savings to more people since the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021. Those enhanced subsidies will continue for enrollees through 2025 due to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

The number of individuals who self-identified as Black on their enrollment applications increased by nearly 33% to 41,611. Enrollment by Hispanic residents grew by nearly 30% to 28,701. It grew even more among Black young adults 18-34, up 46% in one year, and Hispanic young adults 18-34, up 50% in one year. Those populations have historically and disproportionately lacked health insurance.

 

Overall, new enrollments were up 64% to 56,220 from 34,205 a year ago. Renewals were up 7%  to 157,675 from 147,961 a year ago.

 

Also, enrollments by people who qualified for federal financial help increased by 18% to 163,796 from 138,345 a year ago. Enrollments of people who did not qualify for a federal tax credit also grew, up 14% to 50,099 from 43,821 a year ago. 

Dental plan enrollment rose 14% to 74,939 from 65,393 last year. New to Maryland Health Connection this year is the availability of vision plans. More than 298 individuals enrolled in vision plans during the enrollment period.

Even after open enrollment, opportunities for people to enroll who lack coverage continued.

 

Marylanders who checked a box on their state income tax returns needing health insurance were able to enroll in a program offered through the Office of the Comptroller of Maryland. Anyone who loses a job and files for unemployment insurance can also check a box during that application process with the Maryland Department of Labor to request help with health coverage. Those innovative “Easy Enrollment” programs have since been replicated by states around the country.

 

Marylanders who have certain life events, such as losing employer coverage, getting married or divorced, or turning 26 and aging off a parent’s plan, may also be eligible to enroll now. People who are eligible for health coverage through Medicaid can enroll any time of year. 

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Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE), a public corporation and independent unit of state government established in 2011, administers Maryland Health Connection.

Maryland Health Connection (MHC) is the state-based marketplace for Marylanders to shop and enroll in health insurance, as well as determine eligibility for Medicaid and other assistance programs. It is the only place where Marylanders can access financial help such as tax credits to make coverage more affordable.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Betsy Plunkett, Director, Marketing & Web Strategies betsy.plunkett@maryland.gov

 

• 2024 Broker Achievement Awards Attachment.pdf