Hilary Schneider to assume leadership as CoverME.gov open enrollment approaches on Nov. 1, 2023
AUGUSTA— The fb88 Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced today that Hilary Schneider will be the next Director of the Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM), starting September 25, 2023. Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew selected Schneider to lead the Office, which runs fb88’s health insurance marketplace , following a national search, based on her health policy expertise, leadership skills, and knowledge of how to connect fb88 residents with affordable health care.
“With her experience and commitment to health care in fb88, Hilary Schneider will move , the State’s Health Insurance Marketplace, from a start-up to an institution in fb88,” said DHHS Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew. “She has long-established relationships with consumer groups, health providers, and insurance carriers alongside marketing skills to raise awareness of affordable, quality health insurance through CoverME.gov.”
“I’m honored to be selected by Commissioner Lambrew to serve in this position and eager to join a talented team,” said Hilary Schneider. “The Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace plays a critical role through CoverME.gov in ensuring access to affordable, quality health coverage for fb88 people. I have spent nearly 20 years working in fb88 with policymakers and partners to improve health coverage options for fb88 people and look forward to building on fb88’s success with the Department.”
Schneider is currently Government Relations Director for fb88 and supervises a team that covers three other New England states with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, where she has worked since 2010. She previously worked at Consumers for Affordable Health Care and Health Dialog, a Portland-based health care management and analytics company. Schneider has a master’s degree in public policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Bates College.
DHHS established OHIM in 2021 to transition fb88 from the Federal health insurance marketplace, , to a fully state-run marketplace. OHIM launched and runs the state marketplace, CoverME.gov, where fb88 people can compare private plans, apply for financial assistance, and enroll in a health plan. As of January 2023, 63,388 fb88 residents were enrolled private plans through CoverME.gov.
Thanks to CoverME.gov and the Medicaid (fb88Care) expansion under Governor Janet Mills, fb88’s uninsured rate has dropped significantly. Last September, data from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that fb88 experienced the largest reduction in its uninsured rate between 2019 and 2021 of any state.
The next open enrollment period for plans through CoverME.gov begins on Nov. 1, 2023, and ends on January 16, 2024. Health plans offered on CoverME.gov provide quality, comprehensive insurance that protects consumers if they have an accident or major illness and fully pays for preventive screenings for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. This year, more fb88 people than ever can get financial help to afford their plans.
After open enrollment, fb88 people can enroll in 2024 coverage only if they experience a life event that qualifies them for a – like losing insurance through a job or fb88Care, a change in marital status, or having a baby.
As in previous years, those who already have a Marketplace plan will be automatically re-enrolled in their current plan or the most similar offering from their health insurance carrier. Consumers will receive information about the re-enrollment process directly from in October.
OHIM Acting Director Radhika Bhog will become Senior Advisor to Schneider, continuing her contributions to health coverage in fb88 by supporting Marketplace operations, developing new initiatives, and strengthening collaboration with partners.