Counselors and Insurance Agents Available to Provide In-Person Education and Enrollment
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In response to high public interest in
signing up for health care coverage, Covered California™ is partnering with local libraries to host a series of
education and enrollment days during December.
“Local libraries have a long history as community gathering
spots, and the public has come to trust libraries as places to get accurate
information and receive assistance,” said Covered California Executive Director
Peter V. Lee. “This partnership allows us to leverage resources, getting
much-needed help to people who have limited Internet access or need a certified
in-person assister to guide them through enrollment.”
This week, teams of Certified Educators, Certified Enrollment
Counselors and Certified Insurance Agents are available at libraries across the
state. The assisters explain health care options — including individual
insurance plans, eligibility for federal subsidies and qualification for
low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal coverage — to consumers.
Consumers who bring proof of legal residency, Social Security
numbers for members of their households and proof of income can work with an
on-site Certified Enrollment Counselor or Certified Insurance Agent to select a
health insurance plan that suits their medical needs and budget.
From Dec. 2 through Dec. 7, education and
enrollment will take place at participating libraries on a daily basis. A
follow-up enrollment opportunity will take place at the same libraries on
Saturday, Dec. 14.
To see a list of participating libraries, consumers can
visit the Covered California website at www.CoveredCA.com
and click on the section titled “Events Near You.” Covered California is
building partnerships with additional libraries and will continue adding new
locations to the list.
Covered California anticipates libraries will become valuable
hubs for health care education and enrollment beyond December and throughout open-enrollment
periods.
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s marketplace for the
federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in
partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, 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 helps individuals determine whether they
are eligible for premium assistance that is 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 can
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.
