Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Family Health Center, partners exceed ACA enrollment targets

The Cowlitz Family Health Center, in partnership with nine community organizations, enrolled local individuals and families in new, affordable, health insurance plans during the first open enrollment period under the Affordable Care Act.

The family health center was chosen as a organization by the Washington Health Benefit Exchange to train and supervise in-person assisters, known as “navigators,” and lead outreach and enrollment efforts in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties. Nine organizations, including: Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of SW WA, Cowlitz County Guidance Association, Cowlitz Free Medical Clinic (Community Health Partners), Drug Abuse Prevention Center, Lower Columbia CAP, Love Overwhelming, Peace Health St. John, Wahkiakum Health and Human Services, and Youth and Family LINK, participated in community events, partnered with local school districts and the SEIU Local 925, to reach out to residents in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties to inform them of new health coverage options through Washington Healthplanfinder.

“The coordination between partner organizations was outstandings”, said Amber Rosewood, Community Relations Liaison for the family health center. "Our program simply would not have been so successful had we not had the help of such an amazing community partner."

During the open enrollment period of October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014, the family health center and partner organizations, enrolled 485 individuals and families in Qualified Health Plans; 3,855 in the newly expanded Washington Apple Health Medicaid program; and renewed Medicaid coverage for 2,327.

As a whole, the family health center and its partners exceeded the goal set by the Washington Health Benefit Exchange for the six month period of October 1, 2013-March 31, 2014, by over 3,000 enrollments.

“We fully expected to surpass the goal set by the exchange, but we were truly amazed at the final numbers," said family health center Chief Executive Officer Dian Cooper. "To know that our Navigators were able to help that many people find affordable health care coverage is astounding.”

The open enrollment period for purchasing a Qualified Health Plan on the Washington Healthplanfinder website closed on March 31. Residents may still be eligible to purchase a plan outside of the enrollment period if they have a qualifying life event such as: marriage, divorce, having or adopting a child, moving to a new state and certain changes to income.

Otherwise, customers may enroll during the next open enrollment period of November 15, 2014, to February 15, 2015, for coverage that begins in 2015.

Those who qualify for Washington Apple Health (Medicaid), American Indians/Alaskan Natives, and individuals that are eligible for services through an Indian health care provider may enroll at any time throughout the year.

Trained and certified Navigators will continue to offer ongoing Healthplanfinder account support and Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) enrollment services at all Cowlitz Family Health Center medical clinic locations throughout the year. To make an appointment, call the Navigator Program at 360-353-3256, or any of the clinics listed below:

Longview Medical Clinic, 360-636-3892

Kelso Clinic, 360-353-5511

Woodland Clinic, 360-225-4310

Wahkiakum Clinic, 360-795-3201

North Beach Clinic, 360-665-3000

For questions about the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Navigator Program, contact Amber Rosewood at 360-636-3892 ext 2067, or by email at arosewood@cfamhc.org. For information about the Family Health Center, visit http://www.cowlitzfamilyhealth.org.

To learn more about qualified health plans offered on the Washington Healthplanfinder, visit the Washington Health Benefit Exchange corporate website at http://www.wahbexchange.org/ or contact Bethany Frey at 360-688-7752.

For questions about Washington Apple Health (Medicaid), contact Jim Stevenson from the Washington Health Care Authority at 360-725-1915.