Thanks to a new law this year, many more families can get financial help to purchase a high-quality health plan on Maryland Health Connection.

In the past, your family was not able to get financial help if your job offered health coverage.

Some employers, like small businesses, offer health care. However, it can be too expensive to get coverage through the employer for the entire family. But because your job offered coverage, your family was not eligible for financial help through Maryland Health Connection.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, family members will be able to receive financial help even if you have affordable employee-only health coverage. Affordability for family members will now be based on the cost an employee has to pay for family coverage.

In Maryland, 53,000 individuals were affected by what was called the family glitch.

That means that some people who haven’t qualified for financial help in the past can get help to lower the cost of premiums. It’s worth checking this year to see if your family can save more on health insurance. If you have job-based coverage, but haven’t been able to afford health coverage for your family — get an estimate through Maryland Health Connection. See if your family can save on coverage for 2023.

Beginning today, Tuesday, Nov. 1, you can now enroll in health plans at MarylandHealthConnection.gov.

Here is what you need to know:

Open enrollment runs from Nov. 1, 2022, through Jan. 15, 2023. Coverage starts Jan 1, 2023 for plans selected before Dec. 31 while coverage starts on Feb. 1, 2023 for plans selected in the first two weeks of January.

All plans available through Maryland Health Connection cover important health benefits, including doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health services, and more.

Maryland Health Connection offers health plans from insurance companies you know, like CareFirst, Kaiser Permanente, and UnitedHealthcare. This year, no matter where you live in Maryland, you will have a choice of plans from multiple insurance companies.

If you need help enrolling, we’ve got you covered. Trained experts are available to help you sign up for a health plan. Go to MarylandHealthConnection.gov/help to find free assistance near you. Get free help enrolling by phone, through virtual support, or in person.

New this year, Maryland Health Connection offers Broker Connect. Consumers can get a call back from an authorized insurance broker in 30 minutes or less. Best of all, it’s free.

Do I Need Health Insurance?
Can you put a price on good health? A health insurance plan can protect not only your health, but also your financial future. Understanding and paying for health insurance can be a bit scary. Sometimes the young and healthy don’t think that health insurance is necessary and is too expensive. Maryland Health Connection is the only place where you can get help paying for insurance.

Health Insurance is too expensive!
Access to quality primary care is important and can prevent serious health issues. A plan with Maryland Health Connection covers your yearly checkup with your provider. It also covers vaccinations and tests for illnesses like cancer and diabetes. These services are free with your health plan.

Doctors have the right to deny patients that are uninsured even if you are willing to pay out of pocket. Maryland Health Connection is the only place to get financial help to pay for your insurance plan. Without health insurance the average emergency room visit in Maryland is $2200. Protect yourself from unexpected medical costs with health insurance. The average Maryland Health Connection customer saves $300/month.

Health Insurance is too complicated!
Health insurance is important because it can be there for you, for the big things, like a trip to the ER and for the little ones like medications, doctor visits. Every plan covers primary care visits, emergency care, mental health services, and generic prescriptions that allows you to get the care you need. This also means you’ll be paying less out-of-pocket for things.

When it comes to health insurance there are certain terms that can be confusing such as:

Premium - amount that you pay to keep your health insurance active.
Copayment - fixed dollar amount for covered services.
Deductibles - the amount you owe for covered services before your plan begins to pay.

At Maryland Health Connection we can help you through the process of choosing the right health plan to fit your needs. Depending on your health care needs, you might need a plan that has a lower monthly bill or you might want a plan where the monthly bill is higher, but it starts paying for services sooner.

Do some research. Here’s some quick links to help you think about your coverage options:

Choose a plan

Use your coverage

And, best of all, Maryland Health Connection offers free help to understand what will work best for you and your budget.

As you get outdoors and enjoy the hot weather, you may experience seasonal allergies. Don’t let your sneezing, congestion, and watery eyes prevent you from enjoying summer.

1. Talk to a healthcare provider on how to treat your allergies
   If you are experiencing flu symptoms and don't know what to do, the best thing to do is reach out to your doctor. Maryland Health Connection plans cover your health care provider visits, prescriptions, laboratory tests, and more. When meeting with your doctor, discuss possible treatments to help with your seasonal allergies. You can also ask to take an allergy test and see what allergies you might have and what symptoms come with each.
2. Take over-the-counter medication
   Go to your local pharmacy for any over-the-counter medications that can help with your allergies. The most common over-the-counter medications for allergies are Zyrtec, Claritin, Allega, Xyzal, and Benadryl . If you are not sure which medication to get, ask your doctor.
3. Keep your indoor space clean
   Keeping your indoor space clean is key to preventing allergy triggers. Make sure to keep any surface in your house clean using disinfectants. Keep your windows and doors shut to help prevent pollen from getting into your home. When coming back inside your home, try to take a shower to help rinse off the pollen particles off your body and hair. After the shower, wash your clothes to remove outdoor residue.
4. Pay attention to the weather in your area
   Before heading outside it’s always best to check the weather. You want to make sure the pollen counts are low and that it's not dry and windy. These weather conditions can trigger your allergies.

Medicaid coverage for moms is now available for 12 months after pregnancy. This means that after you give birth to your baby, YOU will have health coverage for 12 months.

Every pregnancy is different and the steps to recovery can be difficult. A mother typically has a health care visit around six to eight weeks after delivery. Studies show that women need support and care for pregnancy-related health issues for an entire year.

What does this mean for pregnant women?

You can use this new, longer coverage to:

• Schedule follow-up appointments for your physical recovery from birth.
• Treat your emotional wellbeing, including depression after pregnancy.
• Manage chronic health conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Access family planning and birth control services.

This 12-month coverage also is available for women whose pregnancy does not result in a birth.

What steps do you need to take to get this coverage? 

If you have Medicaid:

• and you have already reported your pregnancy, you do not need to take any action.
• and you are pregnant, you must update your account to report the pregnancy.

If you are applying for Medicaid:

• and you are pregnant, you must answer the pregnancy questions when filling out the application to get the new coverage.

The coverage begins on the last day of your pregnancy and extends through the end of the month in which the 12-month period ends.

Why is the coverage so important?

Medicaid covers almost half of all births in the United States. Nearly 70 percent of women report at least one physical problem during the year after pregnancy. Be sure to use your health coverage to schedule physical and mental health visits and get the care you need.

Tax season is here! Are you all set to file? If you were enrolled in a private health plan through Maryland Health Connection any time this year, there are important steps you need to take when you file your federal taxes.

If you’re enrolled in a private health plan

1. Locate your Form 1095-A in your online account. We also mailed the forms on Jan. 31.
2. Make sure the information is correct.
3. Use this form to complete your Form 8962.
4. If your Form 1095-A Part III is empty or incomplete, if you applied to receive a tax credit through Maryland Health Connection and you believe your Form 1095-A Part III is incorrect, or if you had a change in your household during the plan year that you did not report to Maryland Health Connection, use this worksheet.

If you have Medicaid or MCHP (Maryland Children’s Health Program) coverage

1. View your Form 1095-B in your online account beginning in mid-February.
2. Make sure the information is correct.
3. Save it with your tax documents.
4. If you file taxes, you do not need to send this form to the IRS when filing your taxes.

Get covered when you file taxes!

For the third year, we’ve been working with the Comptroller of Maryland to make it easy for uninsured Marylanders to find out more about health coverage and enroll. The Maryland Easy Enrollment Health Insurance Program was created so Marylanders have access to quality and affordable health insurance.

Check a box on your tax return if you would like the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, the state agency that runs Maryland Health Connection, to see if you are eligible for free or low-cost coverage.

During these hot months, many are excited to enjoy quality time at the pool, a family hike on your favorite trail, a trip to the beach and other outdoor activities. While soaking up some vitamin D can be beneficial, too much sun can be harmful. July is National Ultraviolet Safety Month.

What is UV-A and UV-B?

The energy given off by the sun is broken down into 2 categories: UV-A and UV-B. Exposure to both UV-A and UV-B rays can cause skin cancer, which is the most common cancer within the United States.

How can you stay safe in the sun?

Damage from UV rays can develop over time. It is crucial to start sun protection practices early in your life. There are many ways you can protect yourself and your family from harmful UV radiation:

• Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
• Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
• Stay in shaded areas during midday hours.
• Grab a hat to wear that covers your head, ears, neck, and face.
•  Wear sunglasses that protect from both UVA and UVB rays.

Treat your sunburn

According to the Mayo Clinic, a sunburn is a thermal burn that makes skin red and painful, and may be hot to the touch. It usually appears within a few hours after too much exposure to UV light, but may take days to fade.

To get some relief, follow these tips to treat your sunburn:

• Apply a cold compress to the sunburnt area.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever for discomfort and inflammation.
• Use aloe vera or similar cooling ointment to get rid of the heat on the skin.
• Avoid more sun exposure until you feel comfortable again.
• Dink plenty of water and avoid beverages such as alcohol that could dehydrate you.
• If the sunburn is severe and shows any signs of infection, seek medical care.

It is officially summer! While Marylanders are excited to enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming and cookouts, it is important to remember to stay safe and healthy. To make the most of the season, here are some tips to keep in mind while enjoying the outdoors.

Get vaccinated

To fully participate in all the summer fun, it’s important to get vaccinated for COVID-19. The vaccine is free and available for Marylanders ages 12 and up. So schedule your appointment today!

Stay cool 

If the body becomes overheated, it can have a hard time cooling itself down. Heat-related illnesses can happen to anyone at any age. To make sure you do not suffer a heat-related illness, it is important to:

• Wear lightweight clothing.
• Drink water.
• Eat small meals.
• Take breaks in between activities.

Watch out for ticks!

In the warmer months, getting an illness from ticks is more common. In Maryland, ticks can spread Lyme disease and several other diseases. If you are bitten by a tick, follow these steps for simple removal:

• Use tweezers or a tick removal kit to grasp the head of the tick. Do not grab the body, as this could result in the tick’s blood being accidentally injected into the skin.
• Firmly grasp the tick and pull up in a straight motion. Do not twist or wiggle the tick.
• Once the tick has been removed, dispose of it in a drain, toilet or trash can.
• Clean the tick bite with soap and water.
• Monitor the bite site over the next few weeks. If a red bullseye develops or you experience flu-like symptoms such as fatigue or muscle aches, contact your doctor or a medical professional.

Keep an eye on the pool

When the sun is beaming down, swimming pools can be the perfect place to stay cool and enjoy family fun. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States. To ensure safety by a lake or pool, it is important to:

• Never leave your child unattended by water.
• Know how to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Teach your child how to swim.
• Keep a first-aid kit handy.
• Install barriers and covers around your pool.

Are you going to eat that?

Everyone loves a good cookout! There are a few ways you can protect your family and friends this summer from food-related ilnnesses:

• Limit exposure to outdoor temperatures. Perishable foods should not be left outside for more than two hours, and only one hour if the temperature is at or above 90°F. Keep your food at or below 40°F, in coolers or containers with a cold source, such as ice or frozen gel packs. This includes any leftovers from the grill, cold salads and even cut fruits and vegetables. Leftovers should be refrigerated or placed back in the cooler within 2 hours of being placed outside (1 hour if temperatures are at or above 90°F).
• Avoid spreading bacteria. Do not use the same utensils and plates for raw and cooked meats.
• Clean surfaces outside and inside often.
• Keep food in a cooler with ice or freezer packs.
• Pack raw foods in plastic bags to avoid cross-contamination with other food.

Celebrate Men’s Health Month in June by getting the most out of your health coverage. This program drives awareness around health issues that men may develop, like heart disease and prostate cancer. Guys, here are some important things to consider when it comes to using your health coverage.

Visit your primary care doctor
Regular check-ups can prevent or detect many health conditions. Set up your annual appointment with your health provider. All health insurance plans through Maryland Health Connection cover primary care visits.

Screenings
Screenings and preventive care are covered at no cost to you, even if you haven’t met your yearly deductible.

Mental health treatment
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, four times as many men than women commit suicide. Mental health treatment is covered under all health insurance plans. If you think you need help, please talk to someone to receive proper treatment.

Important screenings for men that are covered by Maryland Health Connection health plans are blood pressure, HIV, cholesterol, cancer (colorectal and more), Type 2 diabetes, and tobacco use screenings. Immunizations including hepatitis A and B, shingles, flu shots, measles, mumps, meningococcal,tetanus, and others.

Start using your coverage today!

Ladies, when was the last time you made sure your health was a top priority? With everyday responsibilities and activities, it’s easy to forget the last time you visited your primary care doctor, had a colonoscopy, or got a mammogram. To help you stay on top of your health, here are some recommendations to make the most of your coverage.

Know what your health plan covers

Health plans cover many benefits that are important to women, including doctor visits, prescriptions, mental health care, and pregnancy and newborn care.

Plans cover many preventive services for women without charging a copayment or coinsurance, even if you haven’t met your yearly deductible.

These include:

• Screenings for sexually transmitted infections
• Breast cancer screenings for women over 40
• Domestic and interpersonal violence counseling
• Help to quit smoking
• Well-woman visits
• Breastfeeding comprehensive support and counseling from trained providers, and access to breastfeeding supplies for pregnant and nursing women
• Birth control, education and counseling

If you don’t have health coverage, you can enroll now

Browse plans and get an estimate at MarylandHealthConnection.gov or download the free mobile app to compare coverage and costs before you enroll.

When you apply through Maryland Health Connection, you will estimate your household income to see if you can get help paying for health coverage. You may qualify for financial help to make health coverage more affordable.

If you’re pregnant or have children,you can earn more than other adults and still qualify for Medicaid. You can apply for Medicaid at any point during your pregnancy.

Hundreds of trained experts are available throughout Maryland to help you apply and enroll. Find help near you.