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GOVERNOR O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES ENROLLMENT FOR SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH INSURANCE
09/09/2008 - By Shaun Adamec, Media Contact: 410-974-2316 BALTIMORE, MD (September 9, 2008) – The latest phase of Governor Martin
O’Malley’s health care expansion plan begins today with the start of enrollment to the Health Insurance Partnership, a premium subsidy initiative for small businesses.
“Small businesses are the engine of Maryland’s economy and in many cases, the cost of health insurance is out of reach for many of these employers,” said Governor O’Malley. “Today I am proud to say that our state is able to help them provide coverage to their employees. Despite difficult economic times, we have demonstrated again and again the resolve of the people of Maryland to protect our shared priorities.”
Eligibility in the Health Insurance Partnership is limited to a small business that has two to nine full-time employees, has not offered health insurance to its employees during the previous 12 months, and has an average wage below $50,000. Businesses that meet these criteria may be eligible to receive a subsidy of up to 50 percent of their health insurance premium.
“We continue to move forward in our effort to ensure that all Marylanders receive the health care coverage they deserve,” said Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Secretary John M. Colmers. “In July, we began providing access to quality health care services to eligible parents of children. Now, Maryland’s small businesses are able to join this expansion effort.”
The Health Insurance Partnership is a coordinated effort between DHMH, the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC), participating insurance carriers and employers. Made possible by the 2007 passage of the Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act, enrollment in the small business portion of the Act begins today, with coverage effective on October 1. Employers will have their choice of health benefit plans offered by CareFirst BCBS, Coventry Health Care, United Healthcare and Aetna.
The Partnership is expected to enroll over 1,500 businesses in its first year. Enrollment will be capped to stay within the program’s approved annual budget. The Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) is charged with the administration of the Partnership.
“We’ve worked with many groups to make the Partnership easy to understand, easy to enroll in, and easy to administer,” said MHCC chair Marilyn Moon. “This partnership between small businesses and government offers an innovative way to reduce the number of uninsured in our state.”
In July, Maryland began implementation of the Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act by opening enrollment to Medical Assistance to Families, an expansion of Medicaid that covers parents with incomes up to $20,500 for a family of three, or 116 percent of the federal poverty level.
In addition to the healthcare expansion, earlier this year, Governor O’Malley signed legislation that provides prescription drug assistance for thousands of Maryland’s seniors, by helping close the coverage gap in the federal government’s Medicare Part D prescription drug program, known as the “donut hole.” In addition, Governor O’Malley signed legislation that expanded dental benefits to Maryland’s most vulnerable children.
More information on the Health Insurance Partnership and Medical Assistance to Families is available by clicking on the “Working Families and Small Business Coverage” link located under “Hot Topics at www.dhmh.state.md.us.
For additional information about the assistance available to small businesses, log on to http://mhcc.maryland.gov/partnership or call 410-764-3460.
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