“This not only ensures that you are in compliance with this federal law, more importantly it presents an opportunity for you to improve the quality of your life and your family’s life through access to health care,” Bishop Barnes stated in a December letter that was read at weekend Masses. “It is my hope that parish communities in our Diocese will work with Catholic Charities and our partners in Catholic healthcare to inform and encourage uninsured persons regarding the process for enrollment in Covered California.”
Individuals whose income falls below a specific level can obtain health insurance and meet the federal requirement by enrolling in the Medi-Cal program.
During the first open enrollment period, which ran from October 1, 2013 to March 31 of this year, 1.2 million Californians signed up for health insurance. Covered California officials hope to add another 500,000 during the current enrollment period.
Dignity Health’s St. Bernardine Medical Center and Community Hospital of San Bernardino are helping area residents learn about and enroll in health insurance options through Covered California’s Health Insurance Marketplace.
“As a primary health provider in San Bernardino, we want to help educate residents and share resources to make it as easy as possible for them to learn about health insurance options,” said Linda McDonald, vice president, Mission Services, St. Bernardine Medical Center and Community Hospital of San Bernardino. “That’s why we’ve partnered with insurance agents, certified by Covered California, who can provide one-on-one education and assistance, in English and Spanish, during the enrollment period, which ends February 15, 2015.”
A component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most citizens to have health insurance. To sign-up or to get assistance for health coverage through Covered California or Medi-Cal, call the hospitals’ insurance partner at (909) 806-1881.
Covered California’s Marketplace health plans offer a comprehensive set of benefits, and individuals cannot be denied coverage based on a pre-existing condition. Some of the health benefits include preventive care, wellness services and doctor visits. “We encourage our community members to make sure they have coverage that will provide them with affordable access to preventative and emergency care,” added McDonald.
For more information, call (909) 806.1881 or visit the hospitals’ websites: www.chsb.org/enroll or www.stbernardinemedicalcenter.org/enroll.