Stops at Mercy Medical Center Redding to Put Focus on Open Enrollment in the Region
REDDING, Calif. — Covered California’s 38-stop bus tour has
been crisscrossing the state since Oct. 30, to get the word out about open
enrollment. The latest stop came Tuesday in Redding, an area where there are
many different ways consumers can learn about their enrollment options and ultimately
find the plan that works best for them and their families.
“We’re putting the spotlight on open enrollment, because we
want everyone without insurance to know how important having coverage for them
and their family really is,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter
V. Lee. “Mercy Medical Center Redding is one of our last stops on the open-enrollment
bus tour, but we’ll continue to spotlight the fact that open enrollment
continues through Jan. 31.”
Covered California is spotlighting enrollment because an
estimated 2.2 million uninsured Californians remain eligible to get help to
make their insurance affordable by enrolling in either Covered California or
Medi-Cal. An estimated 750,000 uninsured Californians could enroll through Covered
California, including about 32,000 in pricing region 1, which includes Shasta
County.
“We’re thrilled that Covered California chose to spotlight
Mercy Medical Center Redding,” said President of Dignity Health North State Mark
Korth. “Shasta County residents should know that not only are we a great place
to receive care, but that we can also help them find a health plan that is best
for their personal situation, including those offered through Covered
California.”
Residents in this area will be able to see Mercy Medical
Center Redding’s commitment to getting everyone affordable health care coverage.
“At Covered California we’re literally putting
spotlights up around the state to help get the message out that it’s open
enrollment,” Lee said. “We couldn’t be more pleased that our logo will be up
and visible at Mercy Medical Center Redding, because it will be a reminder that
open enrollment is happening now.”
Open enrollment for 2016 coverage began Nov. 1 and ends
Jan. 31.
UnitedHealthcare Benefits Plan of California will be
joining Anthem Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, Health Net
and Kaiser Permanente as an option for consumers in region 1. UnitedHealthcare
is the largest single health carrier in the United States and offers telehealth
and mobile apps to help its consumers get treatment, manage their health needs,
and get estimates for specific treatments and procedures.
“At Covered California we’re expanding the choices
available, which benefits not only our members, but also those who buy off the
exchange in the individual market,” Lee said. “With Covered California’s
purchasing power and the addition of UnitedHealthcare, there is more
competition, which means more choices available to everyone looking for
insurance.”
Those who need insurance can go to CoveredCA.com to learn
about their options and find locations in their community where they can get
free, confidential help enrolling.
In the Redding area, there are more than 40 Certified Insurance
Agents and community-based enrollers, including R.W. Hudson Insurance, Shasta
Community Health Center, Viva Downtown Redding Inc., and Caring Choices. This
year, Covered California has more than 500 storefront locations statewide where
individuals can get help enrolling — twice the number available at the start of
last year’s open enrollment.
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. 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 about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
