Community Health Options

We enjoyed spending time with brokers from across the state this week to talk about what’s new at Community Health Options and in the Individual and Small Group health insurance markets. Thank you, brokers, for taking time out of your schedules and for working with us to serve the people of Maine!

At Community Health Options, Maine’s only nonprofit, member-led health insurer, we were founded with one goal: to put people before profits. As part of this mission Northern Light Health has always been a critical part of our network --since we first opened our doors we have recognized the importance of their service to our Members in the most northern parts of the state. Now, our expanded agreement with Northern Light Health will further that reach by simplifying care for Mainers. What this means for our members: • Lower out-of-pocket costs • Streamlined care—entire hospital stays are preapproved • Making Northern Light Health preferred in our tiered HMO plans for all services and facilities This is more than an agreement. It’s a shared mission to prioritize health over hurdles—and to make quality care more accessible for every Mainer. “This agreement allows us to improve access to high-quality care at a lower cost, and to continue serving the people of Maine with integrity and purpose.” — Joanne Lauterbach, CFO, Community Health Options Read more about our partnership: https://buff.ly/acTBqs6 #MaineHealthcare #NonprofitInsurance #NorthernLightHealth #CommunityHealthOptions #PeopleFirst #HealthcareAccess

📣 We're proud to announce we've teamed up with Northern Light Health to bring better access to care across the state. Part of the changes, effective immediately, include improved rates, less need for Prior Approval for in-patient treatment, and easier-to-understand bills for Mainers. Learn more about what's coming: https://buff.ly/acTBqs6

Earlier today, several of us from Community Health Options joined the Maine Bureau of Insurance forum on rate increases, listening to public comments from Mainers just like ourselves. The voices, fears and concerns of everyone who shared moved us— and we’re grateful to those who spoke. We’re sharing the full presentation from our CEO and a direct link to connect with us so the conversation doesn’t stop there. We know costs are high and trust is low, but our promise to our Members hasn’t changed: we’re here for them. https://buff.ly/PE9G7bE

Did you know women who don't take vacations are 8x more likely to have heart problems? And for men it's a 30% increase in chance of a heart attack. Time off isn’t just a luxury—it’s heart-healthy and brain-boosting. See the ways you can escape right here in Maine: https://buff.ly/FqvMkOY

Our chief medical officer, Lori Tishler MD MPH, explains how virtual care has become a vital part of healthcare and contributes to compassionate, consistent and prompt treatment. Read more 👇

We're tracking how the Fed Budget Act might affect health insurance for our Members. 👉 Here's what we know so far: https://buff.ly/b3HKypl As always, we’ll keep a close eye on developments and continue advocating for our Members ahead of Open Enrollment this fall.

We are concerned about the potential impact of the recently enacted federal reconciliation bill. Many of its provisions will likely reduce access to healthcare and raise costs, in conflict with our mission to provide affordable, high-quality healthcare for all Mainers. We remain committed to keeping our Members informed about new enrollment requirements and any impact to the Maine healthcare marketplace, especially as the Fall Open Enrollment period approaches. As always, we continue to advocate for your health and access to care.

We’re Member-focused and mission-driven — read our 2024 Annual Report.

This Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. Our offices will be closed on Monday, May 26. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 27.