|
Saturday, October 2, 2004
Dirigo sign-up opens Monday for some
Copyright © 2004 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc. | ||||||
 |
Also on this page: HOW TO SIGN UP | |||||
The sign-up period for the state's new health insurance program opens Monday for small businesses and self-employed individuals, but others will have to wait until next year to enroll in DirigoChoice. People who are unemployed or work for a business that doesn't offer insurance can't join the program until Feb. 1. Their benefits will take effect April 1, three months after other enrollees'. The staggering was necessary because DirigoChoice is a complicated program, offering the "only product in the market that is bringing in individuals, sole proprietors and small groups together," said Karynlee Harrington, director of the Dirigo Health agency, which will coordinate DirigoChoice. Filling the 26,500 spots set aside for employees of small businesses is expected to be gradual. Participating business-owners must find enough employees willing to participate and agree to pay at least 60 percent of their premiums. The 4,500 spots for the self-employed and other individuals will go faster, program coordinators say. Sicker, more expensive patients who face expensive policies on the individual market are expected to be drawn to DirigoChoice, which is priced on ability to pay. That prompted coordinators to limit the number of individual policies. Rep. Chris O'Neil, the Saco Democrat who co-sponsored the bill that created DirigoChoice but has since questioned whether it will succeed, predicted individuals will be disappointed by the limited slots. "I think there will be some people who up to this point had thought that Dirigo was going to bail them out sooner rather than later," he said. Harrington said she has already received complaints. DirigoChoice will be offered through Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maine and may be purchased only through Anthem-licensed agents. Agents for other insurance companies say some of their products offer better rates than DirigoChoice. Dino Joannides, president of Bridgewater Financial Group, Inc., touts an Aetna plan costing up to $150 a month for a single employee and up to $400 for family coverage. It allows for three office visits for each insured person per year at $25 each. A $3,000 deductible applies to any hospital stay. DirigoChoice monthly premiums may be higher than some competing plans', but have richer benefits such as free preventive care, said Adam Thompson of the Governor's Office of Health Policy and Finance. The program extends discounts to people who make up to three times the federal poverty level - $27,930 for a single person, $56,550 for a family of four. Under DirigoChoice, income decides what deductibles and discounts are available. Staff Writer Josie Huang can be contacted at 791-6364 or at:
|
||||||