Now in its second year, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has changed the way many people think about health insurance. Still, there are a lot of questions concerning how to enroll and how to find the best plan available for the best price.

 

The Health Council of South Florida is helping answer those questions as a Health Care Navigator, serving Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. “We have been working on the Affordable Care Act since it first passed in 2010, and last year, during the first open enrollment, we became a Certified Application Counselor (CAC),” explained Maura Shiffman, manager, Community Health and Data, Health Council of South Florida. “This year, we have been awarded a navigator grant under the University of South Florida Statewide Consortium, which means that we are licensed by Florida and have received federal training to provide outreach, education and enrollment activities.” Health Care Navigators are available in all 67 counties in Florida.

 

According to Shiffman, while people are now fairly familiar with the idea of the ACA, they may not know what products are available to them. “There are many options in the Marketplace, and we help people understand what health insurance is and how to utilize these services, and also provide guidance if they are not eligible for these programs,” she explained.

 

The Health Council has navigators available in both Miami-Dade and Monroe counties in local libraries, at colleges and in community-based organizations. “We’re going to places where people already visit as a way to make it more convenient for them,” Shiffman explained. “We’ll also be increasing our presence in these types of facilities in the new year.”

 

In addition to these smaller venues, the Health Council also holds mass enrollment events, where 10 to 20 counselors are available to assist with applications for those who want to sign up for health insurance. “Our services are available in English, Spanish and Creole, because it is important to have these conversations in a person’s language of choice,” said Shiffman.

 

This year, the Health Council of South Florida is also spearheading efforts to centralize messaging so that people can more easily pick the products that are right for them. “Last year, we were kind of flying the plane as we were building it; everyone was new to the entire concept,” said Shiffman. “This year, all of the organizations that are providing assistance are ramped up around the same educational messages, helping people with issues ranging from the cost of premiums, to what services are offered, to what types of services they require.

 

“We’re not just saying, ‘Here’s a plan for $20.’ We’re looking at what each person needs—for example, if the services they need are offered 50 miles away from where they are located, do they have transportation to get there? The message across the board is that people need to make sure that they pick a product that suits their personal requirements.”

 

This year’s enrollment opened on Nov. 15 and will run through Feb. 15. While the first deadline has already passed, people can enroll between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15 for coverage beginning Feb. 1, and can enroll between Jan. 16 and Feb. 15 for coverage beginning March 1. Those who enroll need to pay their first premium prior to coverage becoming effective.

 

The Health Council of South Florida has assistance available at the following community locations. Dates and times vary:

• HCSF Offices in Doral

• Kendale Lakes Branch Library

• Coral Reef Library

• Coconut Grove Library

• Miami Lakes Library

• North Central Library

• North Dade Library

• Miami Dade College Kendall Campus

• Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus

• Florida International University

• Centers for Haitian Studies

• Legal Services of Greater Miami

• University of Miami Miller School of Medicine