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December 9, 2021 Human Services

59,880 Maine people have selected plans or automatically reenrolled for affordable 2022 health plans, outpacing previous Open Enrollment period

AUGUSTA- The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) announced today that 59,880 Mainers selected plans for affordable health coverage in 2022 through CoverME.gov, Maine's new Health Insurance Marketplace, during the first month of open enrollment. These figures, which were included today in a release by the U.S Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), for the first time include consumers whose coverage has been automatically renewed for 2022, in addition to consumers who proactively visited CoverME.gov to choose a new plan or renew their existing plan.

The number of people with CoverME.gov plan selections from November 1 through November 27 for the 2022 Open Enrollment Period already exceeds the total of 59,738 plan selections for the 2021 Open Enrollment Period that ended December 15, 2020, when Maine used the federal HealthCare.gov platform.

Mainers have until December 15 to apply and enroll in a plan that takes effect on January 1, 2022. The transition to the State-based Marketplace, CoverME.gov , allowed Maine to extend the Open Enrollment Period, so this year consumers have until January 15, 2022, to enroll in a plan that takes effect on February 1, 2022.

"Four weeks into open enrollment, tens of thousands of Maine people are already signed up for high-quality, affordable health coverage in 2022," said DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew. As open enrollment continues, we urge anyone in need of health insurance to visit CoverME.gov to check out their options and encourage consumers to come back to complete their applications by December 15 to start the new year with coverage.

CMS reported that nationwide, nearly 4.6 million Americans signed up for 2022 individual health insurance coverage through the federal Marketplace, HealthCare.gov, and state-based Marketplaces including CoverME.gov , from the start of the 2022 open enrollment period on November 1, 2021 through November 27, 2021. In Maine, 13,820 people actively selected a plan during this period, while coverage for 46,060 consumers was automatically renewed.

Plan selections provide a snapshot of activity by new and returning consumers who have selected a plan for 2022. Plan selections become enrollments once consumers have paid their first monthly premium to begin coverage. These numbers are subject to change as consumers may modify or cancel plans after their initial selection. OHIM is reporting plan selections every two weeks during open enrollment. The most recent snapshot, released December 2, is available on the Maine DHHS blog and on CoverME.gov.

This year, additional federal financial assistance that makes coverage more affordable than ever. With extra assistance from the American Rescue Plan, nearly 25 percent of consumers in Maine enrolled in a plan in 2021 with a monthly premium of $10 or less. This assistance will continue to be available in 2022. Even those who were not eligible in the past can likely get assistance to lower monthly premiums and other out-of-pocket costs.

OHIM has launched a comprehensive marketing campaign to raise awareness of Maine consumers' options for coverage through the Marketplace, including social and digital media, ads on buses, bus shelters, diner placemats, TV and radio ads, and outreach to previously underserved populations including Maines immigrant communities. This engagement also includes an Outreach and Enrollment Toolkit for community partners, which is now available translated into nine languages.

Health plans offered on CoverME.gov provide quality, comprehensive private coverage that will protect consumers if they have an accident or major illness and support preventive screenings and visits. This year, 71 health plans are being offered through CoverME.gov . Free enrollment help is available to help consumers find the plan that meets their needs and budget. For information, visit coverme.gov/localhelp or call (866) 636-0355/TTY 711 (for languages other than English, choose option 4).

As in previous years, those who already have a Marketplace plan are automatically re-enrolled in their current plan or the most similar offering from their health insurance carrier. However, consumers are encouraged to visit CoverME.gov to check out new plans and update their family and income information, as new financial assistance is available that may offer more affordable coverage that best meets their needs.

People who apply through CoverME.gov who are eligible for MaineCare will have their application sent to MaineCare for review. Eligible Maine people can enroll in MaineCare at any time of year.