By Nate Gilgeous
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Gov. Larry Hogan said Wednesday that 140,715 Marylanders have gained health insurance through a special coronavirus program launched by the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange a year ago.
“We are pleased to announce the tremendous response to this special enrollment period, which is one of the nation’s longest in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Hogan said. “This program’s success is a testament to our commitment to ensure Marylanders have access to the resources they need to weather the pandemic and come back stronger and healthier.”
The program is the Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment Period. Of the 140,715 who have enrolled since March 16, 2020, officials said that 92,327 qualified for free Medicaid coverage. The other 48,388 enrolled in private coverage. About 70% of them—33,988— received financial help to lower their out-of-pocket costs, officials said.
Officials said that 43,095 of the enrollees self-identified as Black or African-American. Another 17,466 enrollees self-identified as Hispanic, and 49,912 were young adults between 18 and 34 years old, according to a Health Benefit Exchange analysis.
An estimated 236,000 Marylanders who remain without health coverage would be able to get coverage for free or with significant financial help, in many cases worth hundreds of dollars a month, the analysis added.
People eligible for Medicaid can enroll year-round. Others will still be able to enroll in private coverage through Maryland Health Connection if they recently lost coverage through a life change event, such as job loss or divorce.
The Coronavirus Special Enrollment is scheduled to run through May 15, officials said.