to Free Preventive Care For people without health insurance, now is the time to sign up for Covered California (also known as the Affordable Care Act). Open Enrollment is available through February 15, 2015 and coverage offers many benefits. First, if a health disaster strikes, having health insurance can prevent financial ruin. Second, Covered California offers free preventive care including screenings and immunizations, providing peace of mind and allowing people to receive treatment early in the disease process for better outcomes. Third, the government will begin assessing fines to those without health insurance in 2015, so taking advantage of Open Enrollment is more important than ever. After February 15, 2015 those without insurance must have a qualifying event such as pregnancy to sign up for Covered California coverage. People can apply online at www.coveredca.com or schedule an appointment with a local Certified Enrollment Counselor (CEC) at Mendocino County Health and Human Services, at any Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), and at local Family Resource Centers.
Ukiah Valley
ARC Family Resource Center 234-3300
Consolidated Tribal Health 485-5115
Hillside Health Center 468-1010
Healthy Kids Mendocino 463-5437
Ukiah Valley Rural Health Center 463-8000
Anderson Valley
Anderson Valley Family Center 895-3277
Anderson Valley Health Center 895-3477
Willits
Little Lake Health Center 456-9600
Laytonville
Laytonville Healthy Start 984-8089
Long Valley Health Center 984-6131 ext. 222
Covelo
Round Valley Indian Health Center 983-6181
Fort Bragg
Mendocino Coast Clinics 964-1251
Safe Passage FRC 961-3603
Gualala & Point Arena
Action Network FRC 884-5413
Redwood Coast Med. Services 882-2189 ext. 10
Some people who have begun the application process have discovered that they qualify for Medi-Cal, a lower-cost health insurance option. By entering data regarding income and family size, the website will route your application appropriately. Because applications processed through Covered California often use electronic verification systems for income and identification, individuals whose income has changed significantly recently can help expedite the determination process by bringing a current pay stub (if they choose to meet with an enrollment counselor in person). Covered California plans are administered through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Blue Cross is available to everyone in the county through Covered California, but Blue Shield is only available to some enrollees in certain zip codes*those in or near the cities of Fort Bragg, Willits and Ukiah. Not all health providers accept Covered California plans, but all FQHCs do (see the health centers listed above). Even healthy individuals who believe they do not need health insurance can take advantage of Covered California’s free preventive health care, including screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, high cholesterol, HIV, depression, obesity, sexually-transmitted diseases, and more. The coverage also provides free immunizations including those for influenza (the flu), hepatitis A and B, herpes zoster (shingles), and tetanus/diptheria/pertussis, to name a few. Without insurance in 2015, people will face financial penalties amounting to the higher of these two amounts: 2% of their yearly household income (above the filing threshold of about $10,000 for individuals), or $325 per adult and $162.50 per child (the maximum penalty for a family under this method is $975). So it is hoped that everyone will take advantage of the Open Enrollment period and the available resources listed above.
Dora Briley: Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency
Phone: 707- 463-7885
Email: brileyd@co.mendocino.ca.us
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