Affordable Healthcare Act 2015: #VLHealth G+ Chat with HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell Highlights Affordable Care Act Changes as Feb. 15 Deadline Nears
About 2.6 million Latinos have gained healthcare coverage since the Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA; Obamacare) was first unrolled, translating to an 8 percent drop in uninsured Latinos. That said, 25 percent of Latinos remain uninsured.
The second enrollment period is well underway, but the message remains the same: Put your health first. Or, at least that was the message communicated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell during a Google+ Hangout conversation with Voto Latino's founding President and CEO Maria Teresa Kumar.
SMS and social media were used as tools to help collect questions from the Voto Latino audience about coverage and the fast-approaching Feb. 15 deadline. Kumar moderated the conversation and led the 15-minute segment by asking more details about what big changes have taken place since the last enrollment period. Burwell said some of the changes include improving the customer experience and making sure to conserve consumers the best that they can.
"We make sure we have a website that's up and working. CuidadoDeSalud.gov came up the same time as HealthCare.gov. And the sites have been up and working throughout the period. We wanted to make sure that part was easier for the consumer. Then we focused on other things that make it simpler and easer for the consumer in terms of using the website," said Burwell. "New applicants... 70 percent of them went from seeing 76 screens to 15 screens. In terms of reenrollment, those coming back don't have to reenter information; it's pre-populated, the data. Specifically within the Latino community, things were difficult last year."
Hyphenated names, identity management and a lack of Hispanic and Latino media is no longer an issue. The department has learned from past experiences and listened to the community. The idea of serving the community and meeting people where they are, and penetrating the masses via a mobile presence is also vital for growing the number of enrollees, as many use mobile devices when searching online for health insurance. This speaks to the high mobility of the community and a desire for personalized assistance. This enrollment period there are 25 percent more issuers. Also, changes in premium costs can also mean changes in subsidies, so it's important to update income information.
Income and insurance information are the only items needed when seeking coverage. And all information presented by ACA is offered in English and Spanish.
Presently, Latinos account for 14.5 percent of those eligible for coverage, while they only represent 10.7 percent of those with coverage. Many don't enroll because they feel like they can't afford the premiums. However, more than 85 percent of the Latino enrollees are receiving financial aid which is incorporated in their premium price. Shoppers can compare by plans and deductibles when using three options: LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov, 1-800-2596-2596, HealthCare.gov.
To learn more about what was discussed in the insightful conversation, including the fact that those with legal status but no social security number can easily apply for coverage, check the footage below: