Rosalyn McMorris joined HealthCare Access Maryland’s (HCAM) Returning Citizens HealthLink (RCHL) team in February of 2019 as a Certified Application Counselor. HCAM’s Returning Citizens HealthLink is part of HCAM’s Health Insurance Programs and has been serving justice-involved individuals for five years. The RCHL program has two main goals: 1) to assist all eligible returning citizens to enroll in Medicaid prior to release so they have coverage for important services upon re-entry to the community, and 2) to connect clients to resources and community-based services meeting their health and social needs as they transition to life in the community. 

Prior to working at HCAM, Rosalyn was employed as a Customer Service Representative with Maryland Health Connection. While in this role, she learned about Medicaid & Qualified Health Plans (QHP) and became a state Certified Application Counselor (CAC). Rosalyn would also take frequent calls from consumers with questions regarding their health insurance and would enroll them into either a QHP or MA (Medical Assistance) if they needed coverage.  

The RCHL program’s CACs are embedded across the state’s correctional facilities and within the Baltimore City Jail, providing face-to-face Medicaid enrollment with soon-to-be released individuals. CACs are trained and certified by the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, work for Application Counselor Sponsoring Entities (ACSEs), provide in-person assistance with determining eligibility for insurance affordability programs, including Medicaid, on Maryland Health Connection, and aid with enrollment for soon to be released returning citizens into Qualified Health Plans and Qualified Dental Plans. 

As a part of her position as a CAC, Rosalyn visits multiple institutions where she meets with individuals currently involved in the criminal justice system, enrolling interested individuals into MA. She also processes their application on the Maryland Health Connection website and will then follow the individual’s case all the way through until their insurance becomes active. 

The Bureau of Justice Assistance and National Recovery Resource Center have reported that justice-involved individuals who are enrolled in health coverage at the time of re-entry are far more likely to access vital community-based health care and contributes to reduction in recidivism. By educating individuals about health insurance, their benefits, and providing access to healthcare, HCAM is helping address recidivism. 

Rosalyn shared the following about what she is most proud of in terms of her accomplishments while at HCAM, “I am proud that I really get to help individuals currently involved in the criminal justice system enroll into health insurance because a lot of them really need and want the coverage. The individuals I work with are also very appreciative of what we help them with. It is one less thing they must do and allows for them to focus on other important things.” 

HCAM is a place of employment that truly cares about its staff members and works every day to create a fun, caring, and compassionate environment. “I feel that HCAM really values their employees and doesn’t see us as just numbers. I also love how we are all able to connect with each other at our All Staff meetings and recognize those who deserve all the praise. It is like one big family,” Rosalyn shared. 

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