Health Care Reform: Connecting Early Learners and Families to Coverage

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1 Health Care Reform: Connecting Early Learners and Families to Coverage Presenters Astrid Campos The Children s Partnership Wesley Samms California Coverage & Health Initiatives What We Will Cover ALL IN Health Care for Early Learners Affordable Care Act Covered California Medi-Cal Action Steps to Connect Families to Coverage Q & A 1

2 ALL IN Health Care for Early Learners ALL IN Health Care for Early Learners is a statewide campaign to equip early learning providers, teachers and leaders with tools they need to educate and connect uninsured children, parents and employees to health coverage. The Potential is HUGE! Over 11,000 licensed child-care centers across California (including Head Start sites). Nearly 33,200 licensed child-care providers across California. Over 10,000 schools across California. Approximately 4,500 after-school programs across California. 2

3 Why Early Health Care Matters Success stems from a healthy start in life. When it comes to setting up a child for success, few things matter more than good health. It starts when their mothers get prenatal care. It continues with regular checkups after they are born to treat and, more importantly, prevent illness. Good health care helps children reach important developmental milestones and enter school ready to learn (school readiness). Health Coverage is essential to children reaching their full potential. Health coverage helps children stay healthy and shields their families from the distress and fear of being one medical bill away from financial disaster. When children's parents also have coverage, research shows that children are more likely to get the health care they need. Children with access to quality, comprehensive health coverage are more likely to show up and stay focused on learning. What does the ACA Mean to Us? The major changes made to health care coverage since the passage of the ACA are: Financial Assistance to help people without employer coverage Medi-Cal expanded to include low-income adults up to 138% FPL Guaranteed coverage, no denials for pre-existing conditions Comprehensive coverage on all policies Dental and vision care guaranteed for children Free Preventative Care on all policies Young adults up to 26 stay on their parents plan Rates not based on gender or health status 3

4 What is Covered California? Covered California is the insurance marketplace California created under the ACA that offers the opportunity to purchase affordable health insurance, providing financial assistance to millions of Californians with incomes up to 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Covered California is like the Travelocity for Health Insurance. Compare different plans, prices and benefits! You can even enroll into Medi-Cal through Covered California. Who Can Benefit from Covered California? Persons without coverage from their employer or another state plan Persons of any income level may purchase a plan through Covered California Persons under 400% Federal Poverty Level receive financial assistance to help them afford coverage Must apply for coverage during open enrollment or during a qualifying life event like moving to a new area or losing your previous coverage Persons with legal immigration status 4

5 Who Gets a Subsidy in Covered California? (2014) Health Insurance Plan Tier Levels 5

6 Medi-Cal Expansion Another part of the ACA is the Medi-Cal (or Medicaid) Expansion. This expansion provides for the following changes in Medi-Cal. Adult men and women eligible up to 138% FPL. (2.4 million additional adults in California) Children are eligible up to 250% FPL. Pregnant women (even undocumented) are eligible. Mental health and substance abuse disorder services included in Medi-Cal services. Health Options for Immigrants Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients may be eligible for Medi-Cal Undocumented immigrants can receive health care services at low cost or no cost from: My Health LA, Oct. 1 (Formerly Healthy Way LA ) Clinics County Hospital 6

7 Key Dates to Remember Renew or change Covered California health coverage between October 1 and December 15, Open Enrollment for Covered California: November 15, 2014 February 15, 2015 Medi-Cal: Children anytime Adults anytime All Medi-Cal enrollees must renew Medi-Cal coverage every year. How Teachers Can Help Provide health coverage information at center events, including parent meetings and other family activities. Send materials (bookmarks or flyers) home with the kids. Place information on center website, blog, and social media sites. Host an education and enrollment event! ALL IN can connect you to on-site enrollment assistance. Share information about health care options with your family and friends. 7

8 Campaign Elements Website Partnerships with key early learning and health organizations English and Spanish language materials Trainings and webinars Social media Technical assistance 8

9 ALL IN Toolkit Includes Fact Sheet Early Learning Providers Parents and Families Wallet Card Flyers and bookmarks (English and Spanish) Newsletter samples Social media sample messages Does your Early Learning Center want to be ALL IN? To be ALL IN, reach out to us via: Telephone: (916)

10 Contacts! (916) Presenters: Astrid Campos- Wesley Samms- 10