by
Nick Przybyciel | Feb 28, 2014
Swedish Covenant Hospital, Get Covered America partner to host indoor block party, a unique opportunity to receive and activate health care coverage
CHICAGO (Feb. 28, 2014) – With only a month left before the deadline to enroll in health coverage passes, Chicago’s north side still has a relatively high number of uninsured residents, according to data released by the nonprofit group Get Covered America. Unless this trend is reversed, thousands remain at risk of being forced to pay for medical care out of pocket and having reduced access to critical services like primary care.
To provide its community members with the opportunity to enroll in health care coverage and then immediately activate their care by choosing an appropriate physician,
Swedish Covenant Hospital and
Get Covered America are partnering to host the
Race 2 the Finish Indoor Block Party on March 15, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The event, which is being held at Swedish Covenant Hospital’s Anderson Pavilion, also features free on-site parking, refreshments, music and children’s activities.
“As we near the March 31 open enrollment deadline, we’re seeing that many Chicagoans still don’t know about their new insurance options,” said David Elin, state director of Enroll America. “What’s great about this event is consumers will not only learn what financial help they may qualify for and get signed up for insurance, they’ll be able to immediately book a doctor’s appointment to use their new coverage.”
At the Race 2 the Finish Indoor Block Party, Get Covered America and Enroll Chicago will coordinate a team of multicultural health insurance navigators, who will help attendees sign up for low or no-cost insurance through the Marketplace or Medicaid. All new enrollees will have the opportunity to speak with a Community Care Guide from Swedish Covenant Hospital or
Erie Family Health Center, who can provide assistance with finding an appropriate primary care physician and even schedule their first appointment.
“Getting the right type of health insurance is crucial, but the process doesn’t stop there.” said Swedish Covenant Hospital CEO Mark Newton. “It can be a daunting task to navigate the health care system, especially for people who have gone without coverage for a while. We’re making this as simple and accessible as possible, by giving our community members the opportunity to activate their new coverage immediately and find the right primary care physician for their needs.”
Those interested in attending the event are encouraged to visit the
Race 2 The Finish event website, where they can RSVP and schedule an appointment. Walk-in appointments with insurance navigators and Community Care Guides will also be available.
Before arriving, uninsured attendees should make sure they have the following Marketplace requirements:
- A valid social security number (or document number for legal immigrants)
- Employer and income verification for every member of their household who needs coverage (W-2, paystub, etc.)
- Policy numbers for any current health insurance plans
If uninsured community members cannot attend the Race 2 the Finish Indoor Block Party, they can still get help enrolling or finding a physician by scheduling an appointment with one of Swedish Covenant Hospital’s Community Care Guides, who speak 10 different languages.
“We understand how confusing it can be to enroll in insurance or find a physician that you can understand and trust,” said Irena Firsova, lead Community Care Guide at Swedish Covenant Hospital. “Our team of Certified Application Counselors are here to help you through the process and then ensure you get the most out of your new coverage.”
Many of Chicago’s uninsured may qualify for financial assistance, and premiums are often much less than anticipated. For example, three out of four Illinoisans who have applied through the Marketplace have received financial assistance. And, according to HHS, six in 10 uninsured people can find a plan for $100 or less a month.
Swedish Covenant Hospital’s team of Community Care Guides is available to discuss insurance options and the types of financial assistance available to qualified enrollees. To learn more, visit:
http://swedishcovenant.org/community/affordable-care-act
About Get Covered America
Get Covered America is a national campaign of Enroll America that is focused on educating consumers about the benefits of health coverage and the new health insurance options available under the Affordable Care Act. With operations in eleven states (AZ, FL, GA, IL, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN and TX), our grassroots team is powered by passionate staff and volunteers with one motivating goal: to give Americans the information they need to choose an affordable health insurance plan that’s right for them and their families.
