Community College of Philadelphia is launching a series of healthcare enrollment awareness events to help students understand health care options as the Affordable Care Act 2015 open enrollment period gets underway.
The benefit year ends December 31, 2014 for individuals who enrolled in a 2014 Marketplace plan. To continue health coverage in 2015, they can renew their current health plan or choose a new health plan during the open enrollment period, which starts November 15 and ends in February.
On Monday, November 17 the College will host the first in a series of awareness events from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the lobby of the Allen T. Bonnell Building, which is on 17th Street between Spring Garden and Callowhill streets. Colonial Phil, the institution’s beloved mascot, will join student leaders as they hand out healthcare flyers and free apples as a reminder that wellness is a vital part of any success plan. On December 1 and on January 21, special health fairs in the Bonnell Lobby will feature healthcare providers and information.
The College’s Single Stop office is leading the awareness events and connecting the College’s approximately 35,000 credit and non-credit students to highly skilled healthcare navigators. These specialists have been trained to help individuals navigate the Marketplace and explain coverage options. “Our goal is to create awareness and empower students to secure health insurance coverage before the deadline. We care about our students. We care about building healthy communities,” said Paula Umaña, local project director for Single Stop.
A study on college completion found that 69 percent of students who did not graduate said that having health insurance would have helped them finish, according to a 2011 report from Public Agenda, “With their Whole Lives Ahead of Them: Myths and Realities about Why So Many Students Fail to Finish College”.
Throughout the open enrollment period, Single Stop will connect any interested students with health navigators at no charge. These one-on-one sessions on available Mondays and Thursdays from 9 AM to 5 PM in Mint Building, Room 1-21. As a result of new changes in the healthcare plans, those who enrolled last year may find their rates have changed. Health officials are advising enrollees to review current plans before making a decision. Coverage will automatically renew for those who do not re-enroll before the current February 15 deadline. More information and enrollment details are available at www.Healthcare.gov.
Community College of Philadelphia has partnered with Single Stop USA, a nonprofit organization delivering services to more than 120,000 families nationwide to establish a new service for students that connects them to state and federal financial resources and local community services. The aim is to help students overcome economic barriers so they can continue with their education and move toward economic mobility. Single Stop initially offered benefit eligibility screening and assistance to apply for these benefits. Over the 2013-14 academic year, financial education, legal services and tax preparation serves were phased in. All services are free to students.
Single Stop is partnering with The Health Federation of Philadelphia, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Enroll America in the healthcare awareness initiative.
Community College of Philadelphia enrolls more than 34,000 credit and non-credit students. The College offers day, evening and weekend classes, as well as classes on the Internet. Visit the College at www.ccp.edu. Follow us on Twitter.com/CCP.edu. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CCP.edu.
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