Uninsured Discover They Had Coverage

Some states are employing new technology to reach eligible people, said Barbara Lyons, vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, which recently released a study about the use of such technology.

Howard officials have been able to flag a person's eligibility for other coverage programs because they are using a one-stop electronic system that automatically sorts through available programs and determines the proper one for each person. Colmers refers to it as "Turbo Tax" for health insurance enrollment.

Howard officials would like to have enrolled more people in their program but say the important thing is that more people now have health care.

"Our goal has been affordable, comprehensive health coverage," Beilenson said. "If people can get that through other avenues, that's a positive."

Howard residents without insurance can sign up for the program, which will provide as many as six visits a year to primary-care doctors, free in-patient hospital care, mental health care, discount prescriptions and other services that would probably cost thousands of dollars if they had to pay out of pocket. Women will also be provided an additional OB/GYN visit.

Beilenson said it is too early to know what these early enrollment numbers might mean for the future of the Healthy Howard initiative. He said county officials plan to revamp their recruitment efforts. Next month, they'll do outreach at Howard County Community College and work more closely with the small-business community, two populations that are sometimes overlooked but might be ideal for what Healthy Howard offers.

They'll offer on-site enrollment wherever they do their presentations. Beilenson said he thinks they'll have at least 100 people signed up by Jan. 1, when enrollees can begin receiving care.

"Let's not lose sight of the fact that [more people] are going to have coverage," he said. "Our only issue is more specific recruitment for Healthy Howard."