Mainers without health coverage may enroll through CoverME.gov to receive financial savings on high quality health insurance
AUGUSTA-- The Maine Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) announced today that the fourth annual Open Enrollment period for 2025 will begin on Friday, November 1, 2024. Maine people without access to health or dental insurance coverage through their employer, Medicare, or the state's Medicaid plan, known as MaineCare are encouraged to find coverage through Maine's official health insurance marketplace, CoverME.gov.
Open Enrollment runs from November 1, 2024 through January 15th, 2025. Maine people can visit CoverME.gov to compare private plans, apply for financial savings, and enroll in a 2025 health and dental insurance plan.
Consumers must enroll by December 15th for coverage that begins January 1, 2025. January 15, 2025 is the last day to enroll for 2025 coverage, with benefits starting on February 1, 2025. Open Enrollment is the only time of year when consumers can enroll in coverage through CoverME.gov unless they qualify for a special enrollment period as a result of a qualifying event, such as losing insurance provided through a job or MaineCare, a change in marital status, or having a baby.
"I encourage Maine people to visit CoverME.gov to explore their options and spread the word to help make sure that no person in Maine goes without health insurance that could save their life," said Governor Janet Mills. "Enrolling by December 15th will ensure that your coverage takes effect January 1, 2025 -- preventing a gap in your health insurance."
"We encourage all Maine people who need affordable health or dental insurance to visit during Open Enrollment to find coverage that fits their needs at a price that works for their budget," said DHHS Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes. "Having insurance is a critical component to staying healthy and offers quality, affordable coverage for doctor's visits, prescription drugs, mental health, emergencies, and hospitalizations."
All plans offered through CoverME.gov provide quality, comprehensive insurance that protects consumers if they have an accident or major illness and fully pays for preventive screenings. This year, thousands of Maine people will continue to save hundreds of dollars on average on their CoverME.gov health care premiums due to enhanced premium tax credits available through 2025. Today, 85% of people enrolled in CoverME.gov coverage qualify for help to pay for health insurance and save $560 a month on average (PDF).
"Even those who could not afford coverage or did not qualify previously should check out CoverME.gov to see what financial savings they may qualify for," said Hilary Schneider, Director of the DHHS Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace, which runs CoverME.gov. "Forty percent of Mainers who enroll on CoverME.gov pay premiums of $99 or less a month. If you, or a friend, neighbor or family member don't have health or dental coverage, now is the time to shop for coverage."
Those with current coverage through CoverME.gov will be automatically enrolled in the plan that most closely matches their current plan unless they act during Open Enrollment. DHHS encourages re-enrollees to go to CoverME.gov and review and compare plans to ensure the plan they have is best suited to their health care needs and budget.
"I am not tech savvy, but I found the CoverME.gov website very easy to use," said Linda Grisham of Portland. "It is a great site and the broker's assistance was extremely helpful. I also found an excellent selection of so many health plan choices that were affordable and that really met my needs."
"I understand people who think health insurance is going to be prohibitively expensive, but I would encourage people to go on the CoverME.gov website and get a quote because with the subsidies it really does make it affordable for people," said Lori Austin of Hancock. "Having coverage through CoverME takes a lot of pressure off of me and gives me peace of mind, which is worth a lot."
"I went online, filled out the CoverME.gov application, was approved, and found a plan that works for our family of four. It was really easy. It is nice that it pays for preventative care and is also great when there is a health issue," said Neil Cheseldine of Brunswick. "When your health insurance is not tied to your job it gives you more flexibility and options for career choices. Because CoverME.gov exists, my wife and I have the freedom in our careers to do some other things that we want to do."
CoverME.gov will continue to offer individual or family health plans from Anthem, Community Health Options, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and Taro Health. CoverME.gov offers dental plans from Anthem and Northeast Delta Dental. Help is available for consumers looking to find the plan that fits their needs at a price that works for their budget. Visit coverme.gov/localhelp or call (866) 636-0355/TTY 711 (for languages other than English, choose option 4) for information. The Consumer Assistance Center will be open Monday through Friday from 8am to 8pm and will have expanded hours on Saturday, December 7th from 9am to 5pm, Monday, December 9th through Sunday, December 15th from 8am to 10pm, and Monday, January 13th through Wednesday, January 15th from 8am to 10pm.
In 2023, more than 60,000 Mainers enrolled in health coverage for 2024 through CoverME.gov. Based on consumer and stakeholder feedback, over the last year OHIM has made it easier to find important information on the website, and streamlined the application to improve usability, accessibility, and security. CoverME.gov is at the heart of Maine's effort to ensure that people can see their doctor, afford their medications, and stay healthy. CoverME.gov is a one-stop shop for health care coverage and the only place Mainers can get financial assistance to reduce out-of-pocket costs for coverage. People who apply through CoverME.gov who are eligible for MaineCare will have their application sent to MaineCare for review. Eligible Maine people can enroll in MaineCare at any time of year.