Helping Rhode Islanders Connect to Coverage

June 2012

In This Issue

Tools You Can Use:

If you like to learn by listening, instead of reading, check out the videos produced by the Alliance for Health Reform. Speakers explain different benefits of the ACA including coverage for young adults, people who have pre-existing conditions, people who will be newly eligible for Medicaid, small employers, and other topics.

Visit our Health Coverage Project page for other useful tools and publications.

The Rhode Island Health Coverage Project, an initiative of The Economic Progress Institute and Rhode Island KIDS COUNT, works to ensure that the consumer voice is present as the state makes decisions about health care reform.

The Consumer Support System: Helping Rhode Islanders Connect to Coverage

The Rhode Island Health Benefits Exchange will be a marketplace where people can compare health insurance plans and purchase coverage, including subsidized coverage (either Medicaid or tax credits to help pay for commercial coverage). Small employers also will be able to purchase coverage for their employees through the Exchange. Rhode Islanders will be able to pre-enroll in coverage through the Exchange starting in October 2013, for coverage that will start on January 1, 2014. (Learn more here.)

The Exchange will have an easy-to-use website for consumers to apply for and enroll in coverage and a a Consumer Support System to provide help understanding coverage options, choosing a health plan and troubleshooting any problems with coverage.

The Consumer Support System will have four main features:

(1) Outreach and education so people know about the Exchange and all coverage options,

(2) Navigators who will explain health insurance options and help consumers enroll in coverage

(3) A call center for consumers to have their questions answered by phone, text, email or other social media options

(4) Ways for consumers to file appeals and register complaints.

Want to learn more about the Consumer Support System? Check out our fact sheet about Navigators, the first in a series of fact sheets about the System.

Countdown to Health Care Reform in RI

The Economic Progress Institute, Rhode Island KIDS COUNT and the Rhode Island Health Coverage Project held our latest Health Coverage/RIte Care Workshop on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. The workshop was attended by over 200 people including many who work on the front lines at community agencies helping families find health coverage and get health care throughout the state.

The workshop featured a presentation on the basics of health care reform and an overview of the consumer Support System, as well as a panel discussion with Lt. Governor Elizabeth Roberts, Elena Nicolella, Associate Director (Medicaid), Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and Angela Sherwin, Principal Policy Associate, Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner.

Click to view the presentation and the photo gallery.