FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information:
Dee Dee Bass Wilbon
Internal & External Affairs Liaison
Prince George’s County Department of Social Services
Dee-dee.bass@maryland.gov
301.909.7073
“Last Chance” Health Insurance Enrollment Event to Be Held in Capitol Heights, MD
Landover,MD – If the thought of enrolling in health insurance is confusing; or shopping for a plan that fits your needs and budget seems impossible, don’t miss “Last Chance,” a health insurance enrollment event, on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oakcrest Community Center, 1300 Capitol Heights Blvd, Capitol Heights, MD. Trained experts from Maryland Health Connection (MHC), the state’s health insurance marketplace, will answer questions and help Marylanders enroll in health and dental coverage before the deadline of Dec. 15.
This free event is open to the public. It is designed for individuals who are seeking assistance to enroll in health insurance for the first time, having problems when trying to enroll or renew, or who want to make changes to their health plans for 2018.
Certified, bi-lingual navigators and authorized insurance brokers with expertise in commercial health and dental plans will be available to provide guidance and to enroll individuals on the spot. In addition, the event features special informational sessions on money management and how to maintain your health coverage.
Open enrollment for 2018 health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ends Friday, Dec. 15. The open enrollment period is the only time to choose, or to change your health or dental insurance plan for the upcoming year, unless there is a special qualifying event. Enrollment for Medicaid is year-round.
Hosted by the Prince George’s County Health Connect, a program of the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, “Last Chance” is one of several events sponsored through-out the state by Maryland Health Connection. Prince George’s County Health Connect provides education, outreach and enrollment services to residents of Prince George’s County.
Under the ACA, the individual mandate is still a requirement. Individuals between the ages of 18 to 64 must have insurance; or face a tax penalty, ranging from $695 per adult; $347.50 per child, or 2.5% of annual household income. Only residents who buy insurance through Maryland Health Connection can receive tax subsidies to lower costs. Nine out of 10 Marylanders who enrolled last year qualified for financial help with coverage. In 2016, Marylanders received approximately $225 million in federal tax credits to off-set out-of-pocket costs. The average tax credit per household was about $425 a month.
To enroll at the “Last Chance” event, make sure to bring a government-issued ID with a birth date; Social Security number; immigration/citizenship documents (for some residents); if employed, pay stubs or W-2 wage and tax statements; and policy numbers for any other insurance.
For more information about the event, locations that provide in-person assistance in Prince George’s County, or educational resources, visit www.pgchealthconnect.org or call (301) 927- 4500. You also may enroll or renew health and dental insurance on-line at www.MarylandHealthConnection.gov,download the free Enroll MHC app through Google Play and App stores; or call the MHC Call Center at 1-855-642-8572 (TTY: 1-855-642-8573).
