Maryland Health Connection, the state's Affordable Care Act exchange, has announced its new mobile application, Enroll MHC, is ready just in time for open enrollment.

With open enrollment for 2016 plans beginning on November 1, the Enroll MHC app is available for free through the Apple and Android stores. The new mobile app gives consumers the option to apply, compare prices and look over the different plans available all through their smartphones and tablets.

Connected directly to the Maryland Health Connection website, this app promises to be secure because of its dependence of the existing structure of the website, meaning whenever the site is updated the app is updated as well.

The app allows users to login and view with notices and upload documents for verification as well as showing preliminary eligibility for federal tax credits, Medicaid and the Maryland Children’s Health Program, and cost sharing for private plans on the state’s insurance marketplace. Plans for 2017 will be added next month.

“We’re thrilled that hundreds of thousands of Marylanders have found coverage through Maryland Health Connection. And we expect the app to help more people enroll or re-enroll, especially those who rely heavily on smartphones for online access. More than one-third of visitors to our website were on mobile devices,” said Carolyn Quattrocki, executive director of the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, which operates Maryland Health Connection. “We hope the improvements we’re making online and throughout our consumer assistance operation help even more families connect with affordable coverage for their peace of mind.”