OCEAN PINES—Love it or hate, Obamacare is scheduled to go nationwide next year and the first leg starts in October. Taking no sides, Lynne McAllorum, an independent insurance agent, will present "The Maryland Health Insurance Exchange: What you need to Know," sponsored by the Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 5.

McAllorum, owner of Baby Boomer Insurance of Maryland, pointed out that open enrollment for individuals begins Oct. 1 and open enrollment for small businesses begins Jan. 1, 2014. The law, officially known as the Affordable Care Act, defines small business as one with 2-50 employees.

The presentation will be held at the Ocean Pines Community Center at 239 Ocean Parkway in the Assateague Room, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. It is open to the public and the cost is $5 for members and $8 for non- members.

McAllorum has completed training for insurance producers that was conducted by the Maryland Health Connection (the Exchange). In September, the state will authorize those individuals to help consumers find appropriate health care coverage within the Exchange, according to McAllorum.

Her presentation will in part draw from experience gained from working with existing laws and rules to find the best situation for her clients. One benefit of using an authorized agent would be having the assistance of a professional who understands the language regarding the benefits and forms process, she said. Nevertheless, individuals will have the option of either enrolling directly with the Exchange or through an authorized producer/agent.

“The cost will be the same either way,” she said.

“My goal is to educate at the meeting,” said McAllorum, who will be making the presentation as an independent agent, not as a representative of the state, she said. During the 30-45 minute presentation, she will take questions and begin explaining requirements and how the new law will work in real-life situations.

“I’ve done this for a long time and I just want to put it in easily understandable language,” she said.

McAllorum said it was important to note that under the new healthcare law no one can be declined coverage for pre-existing health conditions or based on their height and weight. “Starting Oct. 1 no one will be asked medical questions,” if they go through the Exchange that begins for an effective date of Jan. 1, 2014, she said. The age and geographic region of covered individuals will be factors, she noted.

Topics covered during the presentation will include who is eligible for open enrollment; benefit choices; and how premiums and subsidies will be determined—including the self-employed. It will include information about the choices that will be available and who may qualify for a subsidy.

McAllorum said in the local geographic area there may be people, such as seasonal workers or lower income workers, who might not be eligible for Medicaid but would qualify for subsidized coverage. She said she will also list the monetary penalties the law will impose for not having coverage.

McAllorum, will also discuss the small business open enrollment period that will begin Jan. 1, 2014, she said.

According to her biography McAllorum began her insurance career at Carefirst/Blue

Cross and Blue Shield more than 30 years ago and has had her own business for 26 years. She has extensive experience in health insurance working with groups and individuals. Baby Boomer Insurance is a division of Broker Benefit Services.

For more information or to make a reservation contact Liz Kain-Bolen at 410-641-5306 or by e-mail at info@oceanpineschamber.org.