Navigating the new, affordable health care options under Obamacare might be overwhelming or intimidating to some residents, and the need for assistance was anticipated by federal health care reformers. During this week’s launch, 35 DC community organizations provided 150 people who serve as “Health Link assisters,” to help both residents and businesses understand the plans available to them and to walk through the enrollment process. The organizations are part of a $6.4 millionfederal grant awarded to the District which supports a robust outreach and enrollment effort for www.dchealthlink.com, the District’s online marketplace or “exchange.”
As the District’s Dime has previously noted, the benefits of DC Health Link include more consumer choice’but choice can also bring confusion about the differences between plans and the optimal plan for a particular person or business. The grant supports 150 Health Link assisters who are doing exactly that’assisting with those sometimes difficult choices’as well as helping consumers determine if they are eligible for Medicaid or for subsidies that help with out-of-pocket costs. When there are errors in the system, assisters have helped families identify the problem and developed work-arounds based on needs.
This program will go a long way toward helping residents and small businesses in the District with DC Health Link, but there is an additional role even for organizations that did not get a grant to assist DC residents. These organizations can certify as “application counselors” so they can give clients advanced support with the health benefits exchange. Certified application counselors will perform similar roles to assisters and receive similar training, but the program gives organizations the flexibility not to become District grantees.
To find an assister near you, go here.
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