[Greater-baltimore] Note on November 16 chapter meeting
Danielsen, Chris
CDanielsen at nfb.org
Thu Oct 31 12:30:38 UTC 2013
Hello everyone:
On November 16, Kirsten Robb-McGrath, who is an assistor with the Maryland Health Connection and works for the Image Center, will be visiting our chapter to answer your questions about the new Maryland Health Connection, the health exchange set up under the new Affordable Care and Patient Protection act. Kirsten would love to receive any questions you have in advance. I've included her note below. We look forward to her participation and thank her for visiting with us to discuss this important new program.
Chris
Dear Baltimore Chapter NFB members:
My name is Kirsten Robb-McGrath. I work with the IMAGE Center and I am an assister with Maryland Health Connection, the new health insurance marketplace. I will be coming to the November chapter meeting to discuss the changes the Affordable Care Act has created for health insurance. The new law is complex so we'd like to solicit questions in advanced in order to be better prepared to give you the answers you need.
So, send your questions to me at:
krobbmcgrath at imagemd.org<mailto:krobbmcgrath at imagemd.org> or by phone at 443-650-8011
The following is a brief summary of Maryland Health Connection and the changes that could affect you.
Have you heard about Maryland Health Connection? This is our state's new health insurance marketplace where you can shop, compare, and enroll in quality health coverage. It is important to have health insurance because of possible injury or illness. With lack of coverage, medical bills can add up, drain your bank account and cause you to have to file for bankruptcy. Maryland Health Connection has established new regulations to help cover a wider range of people throughout the state of Maryland with differing circumstances.
Maryland Health Connection offers enrollment into Medicaid as well as Qualified Health Plans. Medicaid is a low to no cost health insurance program that is federally funded. Qualified Health Plans are health insurance plans that offer the same essential benefits as other plans while agreeing to charge the same amount on Maryland Health Connection as the open market. Due to the Affordable Care Act Medicaid has made some changes to their regulations including:
* Expanding coverage from 133% of Federal Poverty Level to 138% Federal Poverty Level
o Meaning a single individual making less than $15,856 will now be covered
* Individuals currently enrolled in Primary Adult Care program will automatically be enrolled into full Medicaid benefits beginning January 1, 2014.
o For individuals currently enrolled in Primary Adult Care nothing needs to be done, in January you will be contacted if you would like to make changes to your Managed Care Organization
* Youths who have aged out of the foster care system will now be eligible for Medicaid until age 26, regardless of income.
Other advantages the Affordable Care Act has offered have been financial assistance to those enrolled in Qualified Health Plans. The two types of assistance are:
* Advanced Premium Tax Credits: which help with premium costs to households between 138%-400% Federal Poverty Level
o This credit can be taken in three different ways, all up front, partial throughout the year, or when you file your taxes.
* Cost Sharing Reductions: helps with co-pays, coinsurance, and deductibles and are available to households between 138%-250% Federal Poverty Level
Once again if you have any questions please feel free to email or call me at the information provided below. Thank you.
Kirsten Robb-McGrath
Maryland Health Connection, Assister
The IMAGE Center for People with Disabilities, Independent Living Specialist
krobbmcgrath at imagemd.org<mailto:krobbmcgrath at imagemd.org>
443-962-5383
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Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
Office: (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
Mobile: (410) 262-1281
E-mail: cdanielsen at nfb.org<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>
www.nfb.org
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