CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JULY 15
Landover, MD—Prince George’s County Health Connect (PGC Health Connect), a program of the County’s Department of Social Services (PGCDSS), has announced that the deadline for the Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment Period has been extended. Uninsured residents will have until July 15 to enroll in health coverage through Maryland Health Connection (MHC), the state’s health insurance marketplace.
Since March, more than 8,596 Prince George’s County residents have received coverage during this special enrollment period, which began with Governor Larry Hogan’s State of Emergency declaration due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before this July 15 extension, Maryland already offered one of the longest special enrollment periods in the country.
Individuals who enroll in health coverage through Maryland Health Connection by the July 15 deadline will have a coverage start date of July 1. To enroll, Prince George’s County residents can call (301) 927-4500; and (240) 719-2167 Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. PGC Health Connect Navigators are also available through CASA, a PGC Health Connect partner at (301) 270-8432; and (240) 270-1318. English, Spanish, and French speaking navigators are available.
“We are pleased that Prince George’s County residents are getting this insurance,” says Gloria Brown Burnett, PGCDSS Director. “We know that safety, health, and quality of life go hand in hand. This pandemic has shown us that. We want to make sure that residents have what they need to thrive and survive. This means having health coverage for ourselves and our families.”
Under this special enrollment, health insurance provided through MHC covers testing, visits relating to testing, and treatment of COVID-19. Consumers will not be billed for a copay, coinsurance, or deductibles for services to test, diagnose and treat COVID-19.
Says Michele Eberle, Executive Director of Maryland Health Benefit Exchange: “Access to health coverage is important every day. However, the coronavirus pandemic has heightened awareness of that need, and we’ve seen a tremendous response of people enrolling in health insurance. We want to ensure that as many people as possible get the coverage they need. If you know someone in your family or community who needs health coverage, urge them to get covered by July 15.”
An additional special enrollment for Maryland tax filers also runs through July 15. The Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program (MEEP) gives tax filers the option to share information, like household size and income, with the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to see if they are eligible for free or low-cost health insurance. Those who check the box on state tax forms (502 and 502B) will receive a letter from Maryland Health Benefit Exchange to let them know if they are eligible for free or low-cost health coverage. To date, nearly 4,000 Marylanders have enrolled in health insurance under this innovative program.
As the state faces high levels of unemployment, many Marylanders are losing health coverage offered by employers. Individuals who lose coverage through their jobs have 60 days from loss of coverage to enroll. If they’ve missed that deadline, they can get coverage through Maryland Health Connection’s Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment Period through July 15.
To talk with a bilingual navigator in Prince George’s County, call (301) 927-4500, (240) 719-2167, or PGC Health Connect’s partner organization, CASA at (301) 270-8432 and (240) 270-1318. Hours are Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 4 pm.
To enroll, visit MarylandHealthConnection.gov. Individuals also can download the free “Enroll MHC” mobile app. Free consumer assistance is available by calling (855) 642-8572 from 8 am to 6 pm on weekdays.
Help is available in more than 200 languages through the call center, as well as relay service for the deaf and hard of hearing. Trained navigators and brokers statewide offer free help enrolling by phone. You can find more information at MarylandHealthConnection.gov.
Last year, 9 out of 10 Marylanders who enrolled through Maryland Health Connection were eligible for free coverage or financial help to lower the cost of their health insurance. This special enrollment period is for private health plans. Those who qualify for Medicaid may enroll any time of year.
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Maryland Health Benefit Exchange: (MHBE) is a public corporation and independent unit of the State of Maryland government. It was established in 2011 in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) and is responsible for the administration of Maryland Health Connection.
Maryland Health Connection: One of every six Marylanders receives their health coverage through Maryland Health Connection (MHC), the state-based health insurance marketplace. Residents can compare and enroll in health insurance as well as determine eligibility for Medicaid or financial help with private plans.
