Funds to help expand outreach and provide education to consumers about coverage options
AUGUSTA-- The Maine Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) today announced that it has received a nearly $600,000 grant to expand outreach about reproductive, childbirth, and post-pregnancy coverage options available through state health coverage. The grant will be implemented in partnership with Maine's Medicaid program, MaineCare.
The two-year, $595,297 grant was awarded by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to Maine's Bureau of Insurance, which is providing the funding to the Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) in DHHS. The grant will ensure that individuals with health coverage through Maine's insurance marketplace, CoverME.gov, and MaineCare are aware of the reproductive and maternal health benefits offered and how the coverage options differ.
"This federal grant allows OHIM to partner with MaineCare on outreach and education efforts for the next two years as we work to ensure consumers have the tools they need to make informed choices when selecting health coverage," said OHIM Director Hilary Schneider. "We will work with community partners, providers, and other trusted messengers to raise awareness among people of childbearing age about the coverage options available through CoverME.gov."
"Maine's Office of MaineCare Services welcomes the opportunity to partner with OHIM as we bring greater education and awareness about the pregnancy, childbirth and post-pregnancy benefits available through MaineCare," said MaineCare Director, Michelle Probert. "Helping individuals and families better understand the range of services available to them through MaineCare and CoverME.gov means pregnant people, parents and children across Maine, will have more opportunities for improved health."
"Expanding outreach and education to better inform people about affordable options for coverage of women's health services will benefit thousands of women," said Bob Carey, Superintendent of Insurance for Maine's Department of Professional and Financial Regulation. "A broad range of women's health services -- such as contraceptives and preventive screenings -- are covered with no cost sharing, but many people are not aware of this. We're hopeful this grant will help better inform women of these benefits, and we're pleased to collaborate with Maine's Department of Health and Human Services on this important initiative."
OHIM is Maine's official health insurance marketplace and is designed to help individuals and families find affordable health insurance coverage. Through CoverME.gov, Maine residents can compare qualified health insurance plans that include a comprehensive set of benefits and apply for savings to lower the cost of coverage.
CoverME.gov begins its annual Open Enrollment Period on November 1 and it runs through January 15. Any Maine resident can apply for coverage through CoverME.gov. To apply for coverage outside of the Open Enrollment Period, consumers must experience a Qualifying Life Event to be eligible to enroll, such as having a baby or losing employer-based coverage. More information about qualifying outside of the Open Enrollment Period is available on the Special Enrollment Periods page.
Visit CoverME.gov. for more information about plan options and financial savings available to make coverage affordable.
For a prescreening tool and to learn more about applying for benefits provided by MaineCare, visit MyMaineConnection.
This grant is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $595,297 and is 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.