It’s not surprising to hear someone complain about our confusing health insurance system. Between deciding which plan is right for you and getting covered, the seemingly endless bills and charges you don’t understand, there’s a lot to take in. We all want the same thing: affordable health coverage that fits our needs and is there for us in case of an emergency. So where do we turn when we have questions? We don’t want to go to the insurance companies, and although our friends and family may give well-meaning advice, it isn’t always the best. Thankfully for us, we have Maine Consumers for Affordable Health Care (CAHC), a nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to help Mainers find quality, affordable coverage and to help us understand this confusing system. I recently sponsored legislation that would ensure Maine CAHC has funding to keep helping Mainers, so I wanted to take this opportunity to share some information about this underutilized service.

My bill is LD 631, “An Act To Provide Funding for Maine’s Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program,” and it would provide $200,000 in funding for the next two years to support Maine CAHC and its mission. The bill recently had its initial votes in the Senate and House, and appears to be on its way to becoming law. The reason I’m excited about this measure, and the reason I chose to sponsor it, is because of how critical a resource Maine CAHC is for folks in our state. The organization is staffed by experts who live right here in Maine, who know the insurance system inside and out. They operate a consumer assistance helpline Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., run informational workshops, and have a plethora of information on their website at www.mainecahc.org. Have I mentioned that all of their services are free of charge? If you have questions on choosing a plan, think you were overcharged, or have any other concerns, the staff at Maine CAHC is there to help.

I would also be remiss to not remind folks that we are currently in a special enrollment period because of the pandemic, when anyone is allowed to shop around the Affordable Care Act marketplace to find coverage. Typically, the ability to shop the marketplace is limited to a six-week period beginning in November, called open enrollment. When President Biden took office, however, he declared a special enrollment period to help people who have lost their health coverage because of unemployment. This special enrollment period will remain open until August 15. In addition, there are new subsidies available to folks of all income brackets that make health insurance through the marketplace even more affordable. In fact, four out of five enrollees will be able to find a plan for $10 or less per month after tax credits! You might be surprised at the number of quality, affordable plans that are available to you right now. Don’t miss your chance to sign up.

While you’re looking through plans, don’t forget that Maine Consumers for Affordable Health Care is there to help. Don’t hesitate to contact them with any questions or issues you come across. And for other questions, comments or thoughts, you can always send me an email at Stacy.Brenner@legislature.maine.gov or call my office at 287-1515.