December 7, 2020
Media Contact:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – County Executive Calvin Ball is reminding residents to enroll for health coverage ahead of the deadline one week from today, December 15, 2020. Any Maryland resident who is currently uninsured may enroll today for one of the Maryland Health Connection's (MHC) private health plans. In areas of Howard County, the number of uninsured residents has doubled since the pandemic. In West Columbia and North West Ellicott City, uninsured rates have increased from about 3,900 to 8,400 residents. In East Columbia, South East Ellicott City and Elkridge, uninsured residents have increased from 7,800 to about 14,100. To learn more and/or to enroll, visit MarylandHealthConnection.gov or download the free “Enroll MHC” mobile app today.
“If you or someone you know is currently uninsured, please take the time to enroll this week for quality, affordable health coverage,” said Ball. “Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more critical than ever that we help get the word out to our residents and ensure they enroll to receive the care they need. No matter your health coverage, all Marylanders can continue to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 amid rising cases – be sure to wear a mask, keep your distance, and wash your hands.”
Free consumer assistance is available weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., by calling 1-855-642-8572. Help is available in more than 200 languages through the call center, as well as Relay service for the Deaf and hard of hearing. Ball also recently released resources in English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, and Hindi to ensure residents know their options to receive coverage. Residents can also call 410-313-5745 to speak with a live operators for assistance with enrolling, which also offers support in Korean and Spanish.
Howard County has seen nearly 50,000 residents enroll in Medicaid and qualified health plans over the last year and nearly 4,000 since the start of the Coronavirus Special Enrollment Period. An estimated 357,000 Marylanders lacked health coverage at the end of 2019. That has grown by between 65,000 and 195,000 people statewide since the emergency was designated by the governor in mid-March. Nearly 60% of Marylanders said they are more likely to seek healthcare coverage than before.