With the state’s extension of the Open Enrollment period for health insurance sign-up until May 23, Community Health Programs’ insurance counselors remain in high gear to help with applications to the MA Health Connector program.
Since the annual Open Enrollment period began Nov. 1 CHP has counted a marked increase in requests for health insurance assistance: Between Nov. 1, 2020 and Jan. 31,2021 CHP’s insurance team assisted 701 people with applications for new ACA insurance or re-enrollment in existing health plans.
During the same period-November 2019 through January 2020, CHP assisted 458 clients.
“Covid is the main reason, because people who have lost jobs wanted to make sure they and their loved ones still have health coverage,” said William Cruz, lead certified patient navigator at CHP. “We’ve also added two additional patient navigators and have done a good job of getting the word out that we are here to help.”
CHP insurance enrollment assistance is available to Massachusetts residents whether or not they are a CHP patient.
For assistance with ACA health insurance coverage, visit CHP’s insurance help page, email enrollment@chpberkshires.org, or call (413) 717-6268.