While enrolling or re-enrolling in the Health Insurance Marketplace may seem a bit daunting, Lincoln County residents don’t have to do it alone.

MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital’s Access to Care team is available to assist community members with their marketplace applications and answer questions about CoverME.gov, the health insurance marketplace website for Mainers. Open enrollment began on Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15, 2025. 

“A lot of people think they can’t afford insurance, but there are many options available,” said Melissa Moody, Access to Care program manager for MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital. “Most marketplace consumers qualify for tax credits based on their income. Last year, more than eight in 10 consumers qualified for financial assistance to help reduce out-of-pocket costs.”

According to Moody, all CoverME.gov plans include key benefits like mental health services, maternity care, prescription drug coverage and hospitalizations, and participants can’t be turned away or charged more for pre-existing conditions. Moody encourages consumers to apply each year, even they haven’t found an option that worked for them in the past. She noted that it’s also important to apply for financial savings each year, even if you did not qualify in previous years. 

Participants must enroll by Dec. 15 for coverage that begins Jan. 1, or by Jan. 15 for coverage that begins Feb. 1. To schedule an enrollment appointment with an Access to Care team member, please call the MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital Access to Care team at 207-563-4120 or 207-563-4907.

For more information about the marketplace, or to enroll yourself online, visit CoverMe.gov.