Howard’s health care access plan — the first of its kind in the nation to provide coverage for thousands of county residents — has enrolled 66 participants, leaving officials searching for more qualified candidates.
The Healthy Howard Access Plan, set apart with its personalized health action plans and health coaches for enrollees as well as its outreach to the working-class population, has counties and cities nationwide waiting to see if the plan proves to be successful.
Since enrollment began in October, about 1,050 residents have been placed in health care programs; but, only 66 qualified for Healthy Howard. The enrollment goal for the Healthy Howard’s first year is 2,000.
The projected cost to implement the program in its first fiscal year is $2.8 million.
“Instead of casting a wide net, we’re now going to target a much more specific audience,” said Health Officer Dr. Peter Beilenson on Monday.
“But we’ve had a lot of research of the demographics and needs and have already shown a success in insuring people in Howard County.”
In the next few months, officials will be targeting contracted and contingent employees who work for the county and don’t receive benefits, other contracted employees from a database of employers, subsidized housing residents, Howard Community College staff and students, and parents of children in the Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program.
The goal now is to sign up between 150 and 200 people a month for the rest of the year, which would approach the 2,000-resident goal at the end of 2009.
A focus will be placed on those earning between 185 and 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or with incomes between about $18,000 and $31,200 for a single person and between about $35,000 and $63,600 for a family of four, Beilenson said.
As to why enrollment hasn’t been higher, Beilenson said the reasons range from residents simply being uninformed to unqualified candidates sending applications.
“Going into a more intense marketing effort really makes a lot of sense — a lot of people don’t focus on what’s available,” said Dr. Richard Krieg, president of the Horizon Foundation, Howard largest philanthropy with a mission to promote health and wellness.
Staff members also need time to acclimate to the plan, he explained.
“If they were swamped with people on day one, it wouldn’t be as good as a steady build up,” he said.
Howard Councilman Greg Fox, whom Beilenson directly mentioned as one with concerns about the plan, said he didn’t want officials to neglect helping others find insurance they need.
“Who are [officials] serving — themselves or the citizens?” Fox asked.
In the coming weeks, Healthy Howard enrollees will begin their actual visits with physicians and health coaches. Men are afforded up to six annual primary care visits and women, seven. Monthly costs range from $50 for a single resident to $115 for couples.
Other Baltimore-area counties, like Anne Arundel and Baltimore, praised Howard’s model, but said they have comparable programs with low costs for the uninsured residents.
“Any jurisdiction that provides health care to the uninsured puts us all one step closer to the goal of providing health care coverage to all Americans,” said Della Leister, deputy health officer for the Baltimore County Department of Health.”
“In addition, providing preventative health care will reduce [emergency room] visits and subsequent health care costs for everyone.”
