Increase Access

Today, more than 130,000 working Maine people go without health insurance. An important goal of Dirigo Health is for all Maine citizens to have access to health coverage by 2009.

Dirigo Health will increase access by launching DirigoChoice.

Specifically DirigoChoice:

•	Will aim to insure up tp 31,000 individuals during its first year and will provide access to coverage for at least another estimated 110,000 individuals by 2009. Coverage will be available to uninsured individuals, businesses and municipalities with 50 or fewer employees, and the self-employed.
•	Will provide discounts on monthly payments and reductions to deductibles and out of pocket expenses to individuals and families on a sliding scale based on household income - For example, individuals with gross income up to $28,000 and a family of 4 with an annual gross income of $56,500 would qualify for reduced fees on a sliding scale. Enrollees benefit from lower and more stable rates provided by participation in a larger group.
•	Will be offered through private health insurance carriers to provide a comprehensive package of benefits and will pay providers at private insurance market rates - other services offered will include disease management, health promotion and prevention

Dirigo Health reform will also increase access by containing health care costs. Between 1996 and 2002, the cost of a family heath care policy increased 77% while median household income rose only 6%. Accordingly, more and more individuals are being priced out of the insurance market. By containing costs, Dirigo Health will help control the cost of health coverage premiums for Maine people.

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