SCHA Supports Open Enrollment Phone Bank, Additional Efforts at Expanding Coverage Ahead of ACA Marketplace Deadline
The South Carolina hospital community has always been committed to expanding access to care to all. Ever since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, SCHA has taken that goal to heart by supporting that Act’s various mechanisms for getting uninsured South Carolinians healthcare, including a yearly a campaign to get more folks signed up for insurance on the Affordable Care Act’s federal Marketplace.
As part of those efforts, we are once again supporting phone banks on local television stations where insurance brokers and agents to answer the phone calls and an interviewee to answer questions posed by the anchor live on television and social media streamed videos, including one scheduled on WIS in Columbia scheduled for January 10. Brokers and agents typically accept 100 – 200 calls during the broadcasts, answering questions about health insurance and collecting contact information for next-day follow-ups to verify eligibility for health coverage assistance through the Affordable Care Act.
The phone bank will run from 5 to 7:30 p.m., and anyone across the state can access the phone bank by calling 803.758.1020, although only Midlands residents will be able to see the WIS coverage on live television. SCHA staff will be happy to provide additional interviews and promotional opportunities up until the January 15 deadline.
As a reminder, there is convincing evidence that the lack of health insurance leads to increased health risks and that the lack of coverage is associated with lower use of recommended preventive services. That means that for many South Carolinians, obtaining health insurance can be transformative. Preventative and primary care can become a regular part of their lives, leading to a higher quality of life and preventing chronic conditions down the road.
“We want to do everything we can to give South Carolinians access to care and affordable health coverage options,” says Rozalynn Goodwin, Vice President of Engagement at SCHA. “Now, more than ever, we must do everything in our power to continue our journey towards a better state of health.”
For those who need to sign up for coverage this year, help is always free and available by calling 888-998-4646 or go to signupsc.org. Experts will guide SC residents through the process to find out what they qualify for and what options are available that best fit their needs.
For more information about this effort, contact Kyle Petersen.