Media Inquires, please contact policy@mainecahc.org or call 1-800-965-7476
People without access to health or dental insurance through their employer, Medicare, or MaineCare are encouraged to renew or choose a new plan by December 15.
Rachel Collamore, consumer assistance program manager with Augusta-based Consumers for Affordable Health Care, said CoverME.gov offers a helpful, online plan comparison tool.
"It allows consumers to enter in their doctors, their hospitals, their prescriptions," said Collamore, "and use that to pick the plan that's going to give them essentially the best bang for their buck."
Collamore said it's important for people already enrolled in a plan to update any income changes that would impact their tax credits.
Eighty-five percent of Mainers enrolled in CoverME.gov qualify for help to pay for their health insurance, and save an average of $560 a month.
More than 1,500 Maine residents will have a total of $1.8 million in medical debts canceled through a partnership between a local nonprofit and a national charity....
A recent survey by Consumers For Affordable Healthcare, another local advocacy group, found four out of 10 Mainers have medical debt in their household, and nearly all of them who’ve accrued that debt within the past two years still have it.
“Too many Mainers struggle to pay for basic necessities, have used savings, have incurred credit card debt, or have been contacted by a collection agency, most often due to a bill from a hospital,” said Ann Woloson, executive director of Consumers for Affordable Health Care. “Too many have experienced discomfort or pain for longer than needed or delayed or skipped going to the doctor when sick. More needs to be done to constrain health care costs and prevent medical debt in Maine.”
If you have Medicare, you may qualify for this program. Even if you did not previously qualify, please consider applying now. The income limits have been updated, and there is no asset test.
For help applying, reach out to your local Area Agency on Aging. Here in Old Orchard Beach and throughout York County, that is the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, which is an incredible resource for older and disabled adults in our community. They can be reached by calling (800) 427-7411.
Another helpful resource for information on the Medicare Savings Program is Consumers for Affordable Health Care, which can be reached at (800) 965-7476. They do a great job of helping folks of all ages understand and access their options for health coverage.
2024
