The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange recently chose AHEC
West to be the official health insurance Connector Entity for the Far Western Region of Maryland. AHEC's new program, the Western Maryland Health Insurance Connector, will assist the people of Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties in navigating the Affordable Care Act.
AHEC
West will house Certified Navigators throughout the three-county region to help consumers with issues including determining eligibility for financial assistance, enrolling in insurance outside of open enrollment, and helping consumers understand how to understand and use their insurance policies. Consumers will also be provided assistance in comparing plans to find the plan that best meets the consumers' needs.
In addition, those eligible for Medicaid will also be assisted in the enrollment process.
In the Far Western Region, the estimated uninsured rate in 2015 was 8% in Garrett and Washington counties and 10% in Allegany County, according to Enroll America. Prior to implementation of the Affordable Care Act, those rates ran 15% in Garrett, 13% in Washington, and 16% in Allegany County.
"We're excited to add a partner with a history of great outreach work in Western Maryland that is
committed to reinforcing our efforts to provide outreach and enrollment in the far reaches of the state," said Carolyn Quattrocki, executive director of Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. "The partnership in this region, as well as others throughout Maryland, will allow us to better assist and inform communities across the state and to help ensure that everyone has access to affordable health coverage."
Information about the Health Insurance Connector program is available at
www.wmdhealthconnect.org or by calling 1-888-202-0212.
