With millions newly uninsured across the U.S. due to the pandemic, open enrollment is more important than ever

By Cleoniki Kesidis

According to a new study by Families USA, more than five million Americans became uninsured between February and May of this year after losing their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. That’s more adults losing coverage due to job loss than have ever lost coverage in a single year. And Michigan is not immune. Families USA reports that uninsurance in Michigan has gone up 46 percent and that 12 percent of non-elderly Michiganders are now uninsured. 

In light of these trends, this year’s open enrollment activities are more important than ever. The Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace is only open for six weeks, from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15. The WHI’s Medicaid and Marketplace Outreach and Enrollment (MMOE) Group is working to ensure that Washtenaw County residents enroll during this six-week window, and stay enrolled throughout the year.

MMOE Group members and volunteers are available to help residents enroll, free of charge. Additional information about enrollment is available in English, Spanish and Mandarin flyers that the group is distributing widely. Those interested in volunteering can reach out to Samantha Iovan at siovan@med.umich.edu. You can also request print flyers to share with your clients.  

“Affordable health care coverage should be available to one hundred percent of our Washtenaw County residents who live below 200 percent of the federal poverty level – no exceptions,” says Krista Nordberg of the Washtenaw Health Plan. 

Please join us in thanking our volunteers and our community’s enrollment specialists for the work they’re doing to support enrollment activities across the county.