Health Resources and Services Administration
http://newsroom.hrsa.gov
Friday, November 13, 2015
301-443-3376
Today, the Health Resources and Services Administration announced approximately $7 million in awards for health center outreach and enrollment assistance to 93 health centers. These funds will support health centers’ work in raising awareness of affordable insurance options and providing eligibility and enrollment assistance to uninsured residents in their communities. Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace began on November 1, 2015 and runs through January 31, 2016.
“Today’s awards build upon the work health centers across the country have done over the past three years to help Americans learn about and enroll in affordable health insurance coverage,” HRSA Acting Administrator Jim Macrae said. “With these funds, health centers will be able to ramp up efforts to reach the uninsured members of their communities during Open Enrollment.”
These awards build on HRSA’s annual $150 million investment in health center outreach and enrollment activities. Since July 2013, health centers have assisted more than 12 million people with their efforts to become insured.
Health centers are community‐based and patient‐directed organizations that serve populations with limited access to health care. They provide comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care services to medically underserved communities and vulnerable populations.
Through outreach into their communities and “in reach” to their uninsured patients, health centers are helping consumers understand their coverage options, learn what financial help they may be eligible for, and enroll in new affordable health coverage options through the Marketplace, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Raising awareness is especially important because the majority of uninsured individuals don’t know about the financial assistance available through the Marketplace. This year, about 8 out of 10 uninsured people who are eligible to enroll in health coverage through the Marketplace qualify for financial help to make their monthly premiums more affordable. More than 7 in 10 returning customers can find a plan for $75 a month or less in premiums after advance premium tax credits.
For a list of award winners, visit: http://bphc.hrsa.gov/programopportunities/fundingopportunities/outreachandenrollment/fy16/index.html.
For more information about the Marketplace, including information about total costs of coverage, visit HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov. Or call 1‐800‐318‐2596 (TTY 1‐855‐889‐4325) for free, confidential help enrolling. Translation services are available.
Health Centers are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to enroll consumers in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Visit https://localhelp.healthcare.gov/ to find out who is doing enrollment in your community and which ones have translation services.
The Health Resources and Services Administration is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA is the primary Federal agency responsible for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. For more information about HRSA and its programs, visit www.hrsa.gov.
