Contacts:
Gregg Ross, US Dept. of Health & Human Services, Region 5, (312) 886-1788, gregg.ross@hhs.gov 
Sarah Hackenbracht, Cuyahoga Health Access Partnership, (216) 903-2069, Hackenbracht@chapohio.org

Local, Federal Officials Announce Ways to Get Covered in Cuyahoga County and New Information Regarding Remaining Uninsured

CLEVELAND, Ohio—October 29, 2015--The Health Insurance Marketplace opens in 3 days, and local and federal officials are teaming up to make sure Buckeyes know about enrollment opportunities in their communities. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is sharing its 2016 enrollment goal and new information regarding the remaining uninsured. Open enrollment for 2016 coverage runs from November 1, 2015 to January 31, 2016.

HHS expects 10 million individuals to be enrolled in coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplaces and paying their premiums – so-called effectuated coverage – at the close of 2016.

“We are working hard to make it easier to get covered –in fact, you can even do so on your cell phone!—but it takes the hard work of leaders and partners in the community to get the word out,” said US Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) Region 5 Director Kathleen Falk. “That is why we are so grateful for the leadership and efforts of County Executive Budish, the City of Cleveland, these great mayors, and the local ACA coalition.”

Falk was joined this afternoon by Cuyahoga County Executive Budish, Cleveland Public Health Director Parrilla, mayors from Middleburg Heights, Shaker Heights, Brooklyn Heights, and Euclid as well as local coalition members, including Cuyahoga Health Access Partnership (CHAP) Executive Director Sarah Hackenbracht.

“The Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment period is only three months, it is critically important that our citizens are aware that they can sign up now,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish. “We do not want anyone to realize on February first that they have missed this opportunity.”

“In our outreach efforts over the past couple of years, we’ve seen firsthand the real impact the Affordable Care Act has had in the lives of Ohioans,” said CHAP Executive Director Sarah Hackenbracht. “While the remaining uninsured will be harder to reach, we know that nearly 75% believe having health insurance is important, and we are ready to help them enroll.”

“There are many ways to enroll,” said Cleveland Department of Public Health Director Toinette Parrilla. “A consumer may shop on his or her own at HealthCare.gov or through the national call center. Or a consumer can call 2-1-1 and be connected to a trained professional for free and confidential assistance.”

Since the opening day of the Marketplace falls on All Saints Day, Enroll America and the local coalition created Souls to Enroll events. Three local churches, including Mount Zion, will be hosting enrollment events on Sunday.

Since the Affordable Care Act’s coverage provisions took effect, an estimated 17.6 million Americans have gained coverage.

“What a tremendous difference this makes in their lives,” remarked Falk. “But we know there are many more still without—and we are seeing that a lot are the working poor. Of the remaining uninsured, about half have less than $100 in savings.”

Almost 40 percent of the uninsured who qualify for Marketplace plans are living between 139 and 250 percent of the poverty level—which is about 30 to 60 thousand dollars for a family of four, and more than 70% are employed.

“The good news is that nearly 8 in 10 of those who qualify for the Marketplace are eligible for financial help,” remarked Falk. “Because nearly 3 in 5 uninsured do not know that tax credits are available, we are especially grateful to all the community partners working to reach the uninsured.”

According to HHS analysis, the uninsured are younger. Almost half of those who qualify for Marketplace plans are between the ages of 18 and 34—which means they might not think they need insurance.

Last year, over 28,000 in Cuyahoga County selected or were automatically re-enrolled in quality, affordable health insurance coverage through the Marketplace. For coverage to start January 1, individuals must enroll by December 15.

For more information on the Health Insurance Marketplace, please visit healthcare.gov and to find a local assister, please visit https://connector.getcoveredamerica.org/widget/. For customer service support, to start or finish an application, compare plans, enroll or ask a question. 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325). For more USDHHS Region V updates, be sure to follow @HHSRegion5 on Twitter and use the hashtags #GetCovered. To follow the activities of local enrollment assisters and organizations, use the hashtag #NEOEnroll.

Location	Address	Hours for Enrollment Assistance
Cuyahoga Community College Western Campus	11000 Pleasant Valley Rd. Parma, OH 44130	2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Iglesia Neuva Vida	2327 Holmden Ave. Cleveland, OH 44109	12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Mt. Zion Congregational Church	10723 Magnolia Dr. Cleveland, OH 44106	1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Summit Mennonite Church	939 Nortin Ave. Barberton, OH 44203	1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.