CoverME.gov's Fourth Annual Open Enrollment Ends with Record Number of New Enrollees

Jan 23, 2025

Nearly 65,000 Maine residents enrolled in affordable coverage for 2025 during open enrollment

AUGUSTA-- The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM) announced today that nearly 65,000 Maine people signed up for affordable health coverage in 2025 through CoverME.gov, Maine's health insurance marketplace, during the fourth annual open enrollment period that concluded last week. Maine's marketplace contributed to the more than 24.2 million people who signed up through Affordable Care Act marketplaces nationwide. Maine is one of 19 states plus Washington, D.C. that fully run their own Health Insurance Marketplaces, with the Federal government running the rest through HealthCare.gov.

Of the 64,678 Maine consumers who selected a health plan, 11,285 were new consumers who didn't previously have insurance through the marketplace. This breaks Maine's prior record for new consumers turning to CoverME.gov for insurance since it transitioned to a state-based marketplace in 2021. The remainder were returning consumers who actively re-enrolled or were automatically re-enrolled in a plan. Another 8,423 consumers selected standalone dental plans, an increase of nearly 6% year-over-year.

"Having health insurance saves lives," said Governor Janet Mills. "There isn't anyone who doesn't get sick, and there isn't anyone who doesn't need to see a doctor at some point. From day one, my administration has worked to make health insurance available for more Maine people can see a doctor, can get preventative care, and can afford critical prescription medications. That way, people can be healthy, join or rejoin the workforce, and care for their families."

"This year's record-breaking enrollment reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring Maine people have access to affordable, high-quality health coverage," said Sara Gagné-Holmes, Commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services."CoverME.gov continues to provide vital support for individuals and families across our state, helping more Mainers access the care they need to live healthier lives."

Open enrollment through CoverME.gov -- the only place where Maine residents can shop for plans that meet Affordable Care Act quality coverage standards and find financial savings to help pay monthly premiums -- ran from November 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025. For plan year 2025, 85% of Mainers who selected a plan during open enrollment qualified for financial savings. While average premiums set by insurance companies rose in Maine and many other states in 2025, premiums paid by consumers qualifying for financial savings increased by less than $15 per month, thanks to extra financial assistance from the federal government. However, the expanded financial savings, approved by the U.S. Congress, are currently set to expire at the end of 2025.

"The enhanced health care tax credits have been critical in keeping coverage affordable, especially for Mainers who are older and live in more rural locations,said Hilary Schneider, Director of the DHHS Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace, which runs CoverME.gov. "Without these tax credits, many Mainers will likely make the tough decision to go without health coverage or will have to cut other necessary expenditures in order to afford health coverage. This will not only have a detrimental impact the health and wellbeing of our citizens but also on our economy."

The next CoverME.gov open enrollment will start on November 1, 2025. In the meantime, Maine residents who experience a life event such as getting married or divorced, having or adopting a baby, or losing employer-sponsored coverage or MaineCare, can enroll in coverage using a Special Enrollment Period. Additionally, Maine residents can check a box on Maine State tax return Form 1040ME to opt into the Easy Enrollment Tax Referral Program, which is a new Special Enrollment Period. Visit CoverME.gov for more details.

CoverME.gov is at the heart of Maine's effort to ensure that people can see their doctor, afford their medications, and stay healthy. CoverME.gov is a one-stop shop for health care coverage and the only place Mainers can get financial assistance to reduce out-of-pocket costs for coverage. Eligible Maine people can enroll in MaineCare at any time of year.