Early Childhood Education Workers Highlighted During National Week of Action
New State Program Offers Zero Dollar Health Coverage for Those Who Qualify
This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are spotlighting early childhood education workers during a National Week of Action. Coinciding with that event, Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) is showcasing a new affordability program, for employees of child care facilities across Washington State. Employees of licensed child care facilities who qualify can receive high quality health care coverage with no monthly premiums. The program is available exclusively through the state’s online health insurance marketplace, Washington Healthplanfinder.
It's important to remember that unlike most states, Minnesota (and New York) operate Basic Health Plan (BHP) programs (also created by the ACA, although Minnesota's program, called MinnesotaCare, actually existed prior to the ACA and was simply retooled after the law passed). BHP programs fit in between Medicaid expansion (which covers adults earning up to 138% FPL) and standard ACA Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), which start at 200% FPL and above in MN/NY.
As a result, Minnesota & New York ACA enrollees who earn between 138 - 200% FPL are enrolled in MinnesotaCare instead, which significantly reduces the number of Minnesotans officially listed as being "ACA exchange enrollees."
Biden-Harris Administration Extends Hundreds of Millions of Dollars to New York’s Essential Plan, its Basic Health Program, Key Connection to Coverage Supported by American Rescue Plan
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing approximately $750 million in additional funding in 2022 to support the Essential Plan, New York’s Basic Health Program (BHP), as well as added funds for 2020 and 2021. The additional funds, made available through the American Rescue Plan, increase New York’s ability to provide health care coverage to approximately 1 million individuals.
Biden-Harris Administration Extends Millions in Funding to Minnesota for MinnesotaCare, its Basic Health Program, Key Connection to Coverage Supported by American Rescue Plan
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is providing approximately $100 million in additional funding in 2022 to support MinnesotaCare, Minnesota’s Basic Health Program (BHP), as well as added funds for 2020 and 2021. The additional funds, made available through the American Rescue Plan, increase Minnesota’s ability to provide affordable, quality health care coverage to approximately 100,000 individuals.
Over 208,000 Washington Residents Sign Up During First Week of Washington Healthplanfinder Open Enrollment
Most customers can save by comparing plans
The annual open enrollment period for Washingtonians seeking health care coverage in 2022 began Monday, Nov. 1. Washington Health Benefit Exchange (Exchange) reports over 208,000 customers in Washington have already secured health coverage for 2022 through Washington Healthplanfinder, the state’s online insurance marketplace.
DC Residents Can Get Covered and Stayed Covered by Going to DCHealthLink.com Before the January 31, 2022 Deadline
(Washington, DC) - As the first week of DC Health Link’s 2022 open enrollment period comes to a close, Mayor Muriel Bowser is encouraging DC residents to sign up for high-quality, affordable health insurance at DCHealthLink.com, the District’s online state-based health insurance marketplace established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Open enrollment for individuals and families runs from November 1, 2021 and continues through January 31, 2022.
“Ensuring everyone in our community is insured is a critical step in making our healthcare landscape more equitable,” said Mayor Bowser. “Keeping our community healthy means ensuring all Washingtonians are getting the right care at the right time. We never want people in our city to put off healthcare because of a lack of coverage. Now is the time to get covered and stay covered, and that process can start at DCHealthLink.com.”
Free in-person help offered to Connecticut residents at pop-up enrollment fairs and daily on-site locations
HARTFORD, Conn. (Nov. 4, 2021)—Access Health CT (AHCT) announced today that in addition to on-site locations, it will offer three in-person enrollment fairs in Fairfield, Hartford and Waterbury during November, giving Connecticut residents more time to shop, compare and enroll in quality health insurance plans.
All in-person enrollment fairs will be held from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the following locations in Fairfield, Hartford and Waterbury.
Greater savings for young adults and higher-income households are new this open enrollment
BALTIMORE — With greater savings than ever for young adults and for households previously ineligible for financial help, open enrollment for the 2022 plan year begins today at MarylandHealthConnection.gov, the state’s online health insurance marketplace.
Open enrollment runs from Nov. 1, 2021, through Jan. 15, 2022. Coverage starts Jan. 1, 2022, for plans selected before Dec. 31, and coverage starts on Feb. 1, 2022, for plans selected in the first two weeks of January. Those who qualify for Medicaid may enroll any time of year.
This year, many people can get a health plan for as little as $1 a month. Even for those who have looked before, it’s worth coming back, because there are now savings available for households at all income levels. Plus, a new Maryland law allows for adults ages 18 to 34 to get discounts on top of other savings.
(LANSING, MICH) Gov. Whitmer today announced Michiganders have more plans to choose from, more low- or no-cost coverage options, and more time to enroll during the Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment period, which runs today, November 1 through January 15, 2022.
“Michigan has called for expanded health coverage opportunities throughout the pandemic, and I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for its continued work in lowering costs to high-quality, comprehensive health insurance for Michigan’s working families,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Through increased subsidies, an extended enrollment period, and more investment in local assistance, Michiganders have the support they need to get covered for 2022.”