Covered California Partners
with Organizations for Outreach to Doctors, Nurses and Other Clinicians to
Provide Coverage to Millions of Californians
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered
California™ has awarded $3.1 million in grants to four medical associations to
help doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other clinicians increase their knowledge
of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act)
and of how Covered California’s new health insurance marketplace works.
In turn, these medical
professionals can help educate their patients about the new coverage options
available through Covered California and about how to obtain financial assistance
to help pay for them.
“We are excited by the
interest among clinicians in helping their patients understand how millions of
Californians can get coverage through the Affordable Care Act,” said Covered
California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “We share a vision with clinicians across
the state that is centered in ensuring that all Californians have access to
quality affordable health care. Medical providers are trusted messengers who
need accurate information to help their patients understand their options.”
“While we could not fund all
of the groups who expressed interest, we look forward to working with those
funded and an array of other provider groups to provide information to help
consumers benefit from the expanded coverage,” said Lee.
The Provider Education Grant
Program will run from Sept. 1, 2013, to Dec. 31, 2014.It’s estimated that the
selected grantees will reach more than 200,000 health care professionals across
the state. Organizations selected for funding are: the California Medical
Association Foundation, $1.5 million; the California Academy of Family Physicians,
$865,000; the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists, $535,000;and the
National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians, $200,000.
Education activities begin
in September — in advance of open enrollment for consumers into Covered
California health insurance plans and for many that will be newly eligible for
Medi-Cal for coverage that can begin Jan. 1, 2014.
About Covered California
Covered California is the
state’s marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Covered California was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace
in which individuals and small businesses can get access to affordable health
insurance plans. With coverage starting in 2014, Covered California will help
individuals determine whether they are eligible for premium assistance that
will be available on a sliding-scale basis to reduce insurance costs or whether
they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare
health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health
needs and budget.
Small businesses will be
able to purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their
employees the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for
federal tax credits.
Covered California is an
independent part of the state government whose job is to make the new market
work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed
by the Governor and the Legislature. For more information on Covered California,
please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
