Affordable Care -Open Enrollment #2: Nov. 15 – Dec. 31, 2014

[N'Zinga Shani]

The first open enrollment period was challenging for assisters and consumers. The next open enrollment period will bring new challenges; however, the process will be less complicated if people seek help in getting enrolled in a timely manner, and have with them the required information. There are 5 million more individuals to be enrolled, plus re-enrolling millions. We have only seven weeks in this enrollment period.  It is important that service agencies and individuals do all that is possible to help those who need health insurance to fully understand the importance of getting coverage and of signing up in a timely manner.

Are you self-employed? Work only part-time? There are subsidies to help you to get affordable health care.  The emergency room is not the place to get primary health coverage because there is no continuity of care.  And now that there is the Affordable Care Plan (ACA/Obamacare) the ER will ask you for your health insurance card. There is a penalty for not signing up for health coverage in Connecticut.   You may also sign up before Nov. 15, 2014 if you have had a “Qualifying Life Event” since the close of the last enrollment period.  See this link: https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special...

Find out how to enroll through Access Health here: How to enroll | Access Health CT

Get ALL of the essential FACTS about the ACA/Obamacare in Connecticut and learn about eligibility:

http://obamacarefacts.com/insurance-exchange/connecticut-health-ins...

 You may be eligible for Expanded Medicaid (HUSKY Health Care), or for a plan through the Marketplace (AccessHealthCT).  Contact one of the service agencies in CT to find out.

Obamacare Sign - Get ALL details here: http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacare-sign-up/

In the short videos linked below we bring you the testimony of various consumers sharing the significant benefits they have derived from having health coverage under the ACA.

Consumer Kimberly Tonyan, a single mother speaks about the importance of having health coverage, and the difference between having coverage and having gone four years without it.  http://youtu.be/R8Dh7sZTKg8  = 2 mins 10 secs.

Health care consumer, Patricia Edwards, someone with hypertension, tells her story about the benefits of having health insurance under the ACA:   “Having insurance is like having an umbrella over one’s head.”  Get Health Coverage!  Patricia Edwards did and it made a major difference in her life.  Watch and listen to her: http://youtu.be/hKLfxt3cygU = 2 mins

Covered Just in Time – Robert’s Story: http://youtu.be/cM1CS0EaYzc  1:13

Self-employed, health care consumer, Jennifer Busco, shares her experience with signing up for the ACA in North Carolina: http://youtu.be/ju9vqd3GwNU 1 min 58 secs

Published on Sept 26, 2014 - Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions of Americans have the peace of mind that comes with affordable health coverage: http://youtu.be/poHnMDzB4P0 1 min 20 secs. 

The Affordable Care Act and Latinos: For Latinos, like other ethnic minorities, the law addresses inequities in access to quality, affordable health coverage. The Affordable Care Act invests in prevention and wellness, and gives individuals and families more control over their care with emphasis on cultural awareness and language providers.

http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts/factsheets/2012/04/aca-and-lati...

A Message to Pastors, Community Educators, Outreach Workers and Church Volunteers: We ask you all to be particularly vigilant, encouraging and helpful to those within your influence.  We ask pastors to speak about this from the pulpit; remind parishioners how important it is to take advantage of this positive offering and sign up for health care coverage.  Health and well-being, especially of those who struggle with health issues every day, are critically important. Diabetes, Gout and High Blood Pressure take a disproportionate toll on communities of color and on poor inner-city communities. Having health insurance allows for timely interventions and prevents severe damage to our biological infrastructure.  Please encourage parishioners to seek coverage for themselves and loved ones.  Under the ACA many poor people qualify for free health insurance.

OneWorld Progressive Institute, Inc., is a small group of committed volunteers who produce community information and education programs on health literacy, education and civic engagement.  We also find good information and post informative blogs about issues we believe shine light. Learn more about us at our web site: www.oneworldpi.org/  and visit our web health section at: http://www.oneworldpi.org/health/index.html

https://www.youtube.com/user/oneworldpi/videos - OneWorld’s YouTube – See us on: https://www.facebook.com/pages/OneWorld-Progressive-Institute-Inc/151551484879941