On January 30, 2014 Governor Martin O’Malley signed Senate Bill 134 - Maryland Health Insurance Plan – Access for Bridge Eligible Individuals. The bill allows “Bridge Eligible Individuals” as defined in § 31-101 of the Maryland Insurance Article to obtain temporary health insurance through the Maryland Health Insurance Plan (MHIP) with retroactive coverage.
MHIP Bridge Program Policies and Procedures
- Individuals eligible for health insurance through Medicaid, Medicare or an employer sponsored plan are not eligible for the MHIP Bridge Program.
- Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2014 (a postal date mark constitutes the submission date).
- MHIP Bridge coverage will be terminated on the effective date of a Bridge Eligible Individual’s enrollment in a qualified health plan (member must provide notice in writing to CareFirst for voluntary termination to occur).
- A MHIP member whose coverage was terminated December 31, 2013 or thereafter and are eligible for the Bridge Program will be reinstated in their last MHIP plan option with no deductible reset.
- Bridge Program applicants must submit the following documents for enrollment consideration:
- Proof of Maryland residency
- MHIP Standard enrollment application form
- Tax return document and/or other proof of income if applying for enrollment in one of the MHIP+ plan options
- MHIP Bridge Program Application Addendum (Addendum must contain applicant’s signature, a written description of when and how the applicant attempted to enroll through the Maryland Health Connection (MHC) and coverage effective date choice to be considered complete)
Enrollment Coverage Choice Will Be as Follows:
Date Application Received Effective Date of Coverage Options
Jan. 1 – Feb. 15, 2014 January 1, 2014 or February 1, 2014
Feb. 16 – Mar. 15, 2014 February 1, 2014 or March 1, 2014
Mar. 16 – Mar. 31, 2014 March 1, 2014
- All MHIP Bridge Program enrollees’ coverage will be terminated on March 31, 2014, unless that date is extended by the MHIP Board of Directors.
- Bridge Program application forms can be downloaded from Marylandhealthinsuranceplan.net
- A paper copy will be mailed to the individual upon request by calling 1-888-444-9016.
- Enrollment applications must be mailed to CareFirst at Maryland Health Insurance Plan, Enrollment and Billing, 10455 Mill Run Circle, RR-380, Owings Mills, MD 21117-9685.
- CareFirst will process applications within 3 business days of receipt of a complete application.
- If the application is incomplete, CareFirst will notify MHIP staff daily and MHIP staff will reach out to the applicant to obtain the missing information in a timely fashion to facilitate a prompt enrollment.
- CareFirst will mail an approval letter and a payment slip to the individual.
- Upon receipt of payment from the individual, CareFirst will effectuate coverage and mail an ID card. Coverage is not effective until full payment is received.
- Members and providers can confirm coverage with CareFirst prior to an ID card being received by calling 1-888-444-9016.
- Certificates of Coverage will be mailed to new enrollees with terms of plan and coverage dates.
- MHIP and the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (MHBE) will work together to assist Bridge Program enrollees in getting coverage through the MHC. An existing MOU and data sharing agreement between MHIP and MHBE will facilitate this process. Bridge Program eligible individuals will be placed on a priority list and given assistance with transitioning, as soon as possible, into a qualified health plan through MHC. MHBE will manage the priority list.
- MHBE will use social media, direct contact and other communication outlets to inform individuals of the MHIP Bridge Program as an option of choice should other options not be available for the individual.
*From MHE-2/2014
