Health Coverage Enrollment Deadline Fast Approaching

With just a week left to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, organizations charged with assisting families and individuals to enroll in health insurance are stepping up their efforts to help those who have not already done so.

This Saturday, March 29, Supervisor Ron Roberts and state Assemblywoman Toni Atkins are hosting the Affordable Care Act Community Forum and Resource Fair at the Normal Heights Community Center, 4649 Hawley Blvd., San Diego 92116.  

Open enrollment in Covered California, the state health insurance marketplace, ends on Monday, March 31. After March 31, unless an individual or family has a qualifying event, such as a birth, marriage, or a divorce, they will not be able to sign up for health insurance again until Open Enrollment begins in October for coverage effective in 2015.

Certified Enrollment Counselors from the Council of Community Clinics will answer questions about Covered California health plans and do on-site enrollment. County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) staff will answer questions about Medi-Cal and enroll eligible participants in CalFresh, formerly known as food stampsfs.

“By partnering with the Council of Community Clinics, which is coordinating enrollment opportunities with Covered California, we can help people meet the March 31 deadline and get people connected with County health programs,” Roberts said.

Saturday’s Affordable Care Act Forum is the fifth in a series of enrollment events that together have been attended by more than 430 people in central and south San Diego County. The events support Live Well San Diego, the County’s ongoing plan to improve the health and safety of residents.

“This is a great opportunity to bring multiple services to residents in one convenient, neighborhood location,” said HHSA Director Nick Macchione. “We know people have questions about health care enrollment and other assistance programs, and we’re looking forward to serving as many as we can at this event.”

For more information about the Affordable Care Act Community Forum and Resource Fair on March 29 and similar events, call 211 or go to 211SanDiego.org.

—County News Center