Coronavirus Emergency Prompts Special Health Insurance Enrollment

MARYLAND — Marylanders who do not have health insurance will be able to get it over the next month. Amid the state of emergency, Maryland Health Connection is offering a special enrollment period.

Maryland Health Connection is a health insurance marketplace for residents that offers the opportunity to get health insurance through CareFirst, Kaiser Permanente, Medicaid, Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) and MCHP Premium.

The coronavirus emergency special enrollment period is Monday, March 16, to Wednesday, April 15.

No matter which day people opt in, coverage will start April 1.

How To Enroll

To get help enrolling, call 855-642-8572 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Those who are deaf and hard of hearing can use Relay, and people can also get assistance in more than 200 languages.

Those looking to get insured can also download the app Enroll MHC. Select "Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment Period."

To apply, people must have the following information:

• Employer/income information (i.e., pay stubs, W-2 forms)
• Social Security number (or document number for legal immigrants)
• Tax returns from previous years
• Birthdate
• Policy numbers for any current health insurance, and information about coverage you or someone in your household is eligible for through a job
• Citizenship or immigration information

Gov. Larry Hogan also ordered health insurance companies to waive lab fees, co-payments, coinsurance and deductibles for those being tested for the novel coronavirus at a doctor's office, emergency room or urgent care center. They must also waive time restrictions on refills for those who may require quarantine, and they will be encouraged to use tele-health options.

Related: Coronavirus Testing Costs Waived In Maryland