New Enrollment for DirigoChoice:

DirigoChoice is private health insurance coverage offered through Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. DirigoChoice is closed to new enrollment with the following exceptions:

• Addition of dependents to existing sole proprietors or individuals;
• Addition of dependents to the employees' existing coverage;
• Addition of new and off cycle employees to the existing coverage.

Renewals for DirigoChoice

Because these Programs will no longer be available after December 31, 2013, all coverage renewed after January 1, 2013 will be renewed for terms of less than one year. These shorter term coverage plans will conclude, along with the programs, on December 31, 2013. Coverage will run from the date of renewal until December 31, 2013, at which time coverage will terminate. For example, if current coverage is renewed on November 1, 2013, the coverage plan will last for 2 months.

Part-Time Worker Coverage Voucher is designed to help part-time and seasonal, currently uninsured workers participate in their employer's health insurance plan. The Voucher Program is closed to new enrollment with the following exceptions:

• Addition of new employees to the existing employer coverage;
• Addition of off cycle enrollment to the existing employer coverage;
• Addition of dependents to the employees' existing coverage.

Renewals for the Part-Time Worker Voucher Program

Because the Program will no longer be available after December 31, 2013, all renewals after January 1, 2013 will be subsidized for terms of less than one year. These monthly employee subsidies will no longer be available after the EBT deposit of December 1, 2013.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as ObamaCare, the Health Insurance Marketplace began enrollment on October 1, 2013 for health coverage to take effect on January 1, 2014. Information is available at www.healthcare.gov. The Marketplace is designed to help employers find health insurance that fits their budget. You can call 24 hours a day toll-free at 1-800-318-2596 and hear more about open enrollment, insurance options available, preventive/wellness benefits, and insurance costs.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine www.anthem.com and Maine Community Health Options (MCHO) www.maineoptions.org and 1-855-624-6463 offer new health insurance options to small businesses in the Marketplace for coverage beginning in January 2014.

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DHA's Maine Quality Forum is dedicated to improving the quality and safety of health care in the State.