Thousands of Idahoans have signed up for affordable health coverage, which is giving them security and peace of mind, while keeping them healthier. Unfortunately, over 77,000 Idahoans were left out because they fall into the coverage gap. These hardworking Idahoans earn too little to qualify for premium assistance and too much for traditional Medicaid. To learn more about the issue and what is being done about it click on "more."
The mission of the Idaho Primary Care Association, a network of community health centers, is to achieve access to affordable, quality healthcare for all.
HHS announces the availability of $100 million in Affordable Care Act funding to expand access to primary care through new community health centers
Community Health Center In-Person Assisters Led the Way in Helping More than 76,000 Idahoans Sign up for Health Insurance
In 2013, Idaho Primary Care Association (IPCA) partnered with Your Health Idaho to pioneer a unique Consumer Connector Program designed to offer In Person Assistance to Idahoans seeking assistance in the new health insurance marketplace. Through the program, 76 Community Health Center (CHC) employees were specially trained and certified to provide assistance to Idaho health insurance consumers in a fair, accurate, and impartial manner. These “In Person Assisters" (IPAs) worked tirelessly days, evenings, and weekends to help Idahoans apply for, and enroll in, a Qualified Health Plan, Medicaid, or CHIP health insurance program through March 31, 2014 and beyond. Together, they completed 22,739 assists and helped to enroll thousands of Idahoans.
CHC Outreach and Enrollment workers also played a critical role in educating Idahoans across the state about the Affordable Care Act and important aspects of the open enrollment period. They conducted 248 presentations and outreach events in 56 communities reaching an estimated 40,000 people.
Due to the success of these efforts, the partnership between Your Health Idaho and IPCA continues. CHC IPAs are helping Idahoans determine eligibility for the Special Enrollment Period and file eligibility determination appeals when appropriate. Outreach education programs will continue throughout the summer and come November 15, 2014 when the next open enrollment period begins this special group of In Person Assisters will be more than ready to help even more Idahoans get coverage and peace of mind.
