A roundtable discussion regarding Enroll America was held Wednesday at Southeastern Regional Medical Center’s cafeteria in Lumberton. The discussion for the evening centered on the state of Affordable Care Act enrollment.
Though the evening was wet outside the mood inside was electric. The panelists for the evening were Vanessa Abernathy a volunteer with Enroll America; the Rev. Dean Carter of Compassion for U; Francine Chavis of Legal Aid; Catherine Gaines of PA-C with Southeastern Health; and Kimberly Mack of Robeson Health Care Corporation; the moderator for the evening was Angela Cameron, deputy regional director of Enroll America.
The keynote speaker for the evening was Anne Filipic, president of Enroll America. She told those gathered that many people stand to benefit from the Affordable Care Act.
She noted that the Affordable Care Act is entering the third enrollment period. The period began on November 1 and will end on January 31. In order for healthcare coverage to begin on January 1, 2016, you must be enrolled by December 15.
“Robeson County is an incredible leader,” said Felipic of the enrollment efforts.
She noted that 560,000 people have enrolled and of those, 92 percent have received financial assistance with their premiums.
“Many who think they can’t afford it don’t know there is financial help available,” said Filipic.
She added the various plans available on the healthcare exchange have made insurance available.
Filipic said that many more people in North Carolina stand to benefit but they don’t know what is available to them. She added that the financial assistance can be applied to the monthly premiums it is not something that the person has to wait to receive at the end of the year.
Filipic said the website www.getcoveredamerica.org has a lot of information for folks regarding enrollment efforts and information about the ACA. Folks can also schedule an appointment to speak with someone regarding the ACA and how to enroll by calling 855-733-3711.
Filipic said that folks that want to enroll in health coverage can go to the exchange at www.healthcare.gov and they can learn about the various plans available in their area and the approximate costs,= and how much financial assistance they may qualify to receive.
Following Filipic’s remarks, the discussion was then opened up to the panel.
The first question addressed the best practices the Affordable Healthcare Coaltion of Robeson County has learned such as planning events and the challenges they have experienced.
Abernathy said the progress has been good when one looks at where they are today versus how things began. She said the different organizations have good communication and sharing of ideas.
Gaines said that one thing they have encountered is the fact that North Carolina has not expanded Medicaid and due to that some people do not qualify.
Chavis said the partnership has learned that they must be sure to include churches, organizations and agencies that are already operating in the community as they have already earned the trust of community members.
Carter echoed those thoughts and said one the things that happened as everyone came together is compassion. He said, “The first thing we did is lay the competition down and build trust.”
Another question the panel responded to was their hope for the health insurance marketplace in five years.
Southeastern Health Vice-President David Sumner said, “That is not a resident of Robeson County that didn’t have some form of health insurance.”
As the panel continued their discussion Gaines said that it is not enough that people sign up for insurance but they need to understand what it provides for them.
The panel accepted questions from the audience and addressed the question of confusion and inability of the public to understand what ACA is and how they will benefit from it.
Director of Enroll America, NC Sorien Schmidt said that people are still confused about the financial assistance. She encouraged those present to ensure they explain that financial help is available.
Schmidt emphasized that 92 percent of those who have enrolled and received insurance also received some form of financial assistance.
Schmidt also pointed out the fine for those who do not have insurance is $695 this year. She said this van be a big motivator for folks to sign up.
Another question dealt with how the enrollment events in Robeson County are being advertised. Abernathy said volunteers are taking flyers advertising enrollment events to area churches and passing them out and using social media such as Facebook. Abernathy said this is the third year the coalition has done this and they are learning through trial and error.
Cameron also said that they have used phone banks manned by volunteers and trained assistors to contact people.
“We assume that a lot of people have insurance when they don’t,” said Cameron.
Chavis chimed in there are also information cards placed at the Legal Aid offices and Robeson Health Care.
The Affordable Healthcare Coalition of Robeson County consists of partnerships between Robeson Health, Robeson Health Care Corporation, Enroll America, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Compassion for U Congregational Care Wellness Network, Rural Outreach Program of the US Veterans Administration, Robeson County Department of Social Services, Sacred Pathways and the Lumber River Council of Governments.
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