The EvergreenHealth Community Healthcare Access Team (CHAT) is offering free assistance to community members during the open enrollment period for health insurance supported by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) from now through Jan. 31, 2017. This service is part of EvergreenHealth CHAT’s ongoing work to connect individuals and families to affordable health care services.
Community members who need assistance selecting and signing up for health insurance during the ACA open enrollment period are encouraged to contact EvergreenHealth CHAT offices. Located on the EvergreenHealth campus in Kirkland, EvergreenHealth CHAT services are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EvergreenHealth CHAT’s state-certified social workers can help with enrollment and answer questions via phone or through an in-person appointment at their offices.
Open enrollment, through Washington Health Plan Finder, is an annual window of opportunity for those who are uninsured or are already covered by the ACA to explore available options and sign up for government-funded insurance plans. EvergreenHealth CHAT is working to ensure that those who need ACA insurance are signed up by the deadline and have adequate health insurance in 2017. The cost for remaining uninsured is steep; annual tax fees for not having insurance in 2016 are estimated to be as high as $695 per adult and $347.50 per child, and will increase in 2017.
“Our CHAT staff works diligently to remove barriers and assist citizens who are looking to enroll in government-funded health care services, and we’re striving to help all East Snohomish and King County residents gain access to affordable health care,” said EvergreenHealth CEO Bob Malte. “We strongly encourage all uninsured residents to take advantage of this open enrollment period, and the free services CHAT offers to guide individuals through the process.”
EvergreenHealth CHAT staff has provided free counseling to help individuals navigate options for government-funded health coverage since the ACA was first implemented in 2010. The team assists by walking individuals through the elements of each insurance plan, such as the different options each package provides, the processes for applying, renewal timelines and dates, and more.
As the outpatient social work arm of the EvergreenHealth system, EvergreenHealth CHAT uses an individualized approach to assess needs and connect people to essential health care services and resources that often are not met due to low income, inadequate access to insurance and other hardships. The team is comprised of three social workers and a Spanish speaking Outreach Worker all of whom are certified Exchange ‘Navigators,’ who provide the community with complimentary assistance for evaluating and obtaining appropriate and necessary primary and specialty health services. CHAT services are funded by tax levies.
In 2015, EvergreenHealth CHAT served 4,332 community members, helping them access suitable resources for insurance, financial assistance, behavioral health services, information and general health care questions.
For more information about EvergreenHealth CHAT and its commitment to connecting residents to affordable health care plans and services, visit www.evergreenhealth.com/access or call 425-899-3303.
