Reaching the Uninsured through Recruitment and Health Insurance Exchanges

The initial push to reach the uninsured masses before final implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is in full force. The Obama administration is planning to campaign as early as this July, eager to register constituents by the October 1 start date. Marilyn Tavenner, the acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) said, “If we get too much of a head start with beneficiaries about what they can expect in 2014,… but say that it's not available to you for 6 or 7 months, then folks tend to lose interest.”

In Connecticut, officials working for Access Health CT have utilized recent town-hall meetings to survey the amount of uninsured residents that are interested in healthcare enrollment. As the 2014 mandate deadline approaches, Access Health CT intends to continue recruiting new members by using booths at state fairs, and even by paying local businesses to disseminate information to the uninsured.

In addition, national healthcare marketplaces will open in October, expanding health insurance coverage to millions of individuals and small businesses. Connecticut is just one of 16 states intent on running its own marketplace, or exchange. These health insurance exchanges (HIX) will offer individuals an accessible way to find a policy that’s right for them. Small businesses can also use the venues as an opportunity to shop for group insurance plans.

Consumer Affairs additionally notes that, “The exchanges will offer a variety of certified health plans and provide information and educational services to help consumers understand their options...Every state is required to have a health insurance exchange for its residents by January 2014. Some states, like Virginia, have refused to set up their own, so their citizens will be covered by an exchange set up by the federal government.”

Convincing uninsured Americans to buy into Affordable Care Act initiatives, like enrollment, will continue to be a concern for providers nationwide. Ideally, provider influence through campaigning and HIX will increase citizen confidence and allegiance to obtaining healthcare insurance.

Around the Web

Feds plan pitch to uninsured [Politico]

Feds To Kick Off Campaign To Reach Uninsured In July [Kaiser Health News]

Exchanges: The New Health Insurance Marketplace [Consumer Affairs]