From a simple cough to a devastating cold or a few broken bones, students are opting out from visiting the doctor’s office but Pierce College is making health insurance accessible with Covered California on campus.
It’s important to have insurance when needed most. That’s why Covered California has come to the Pierce College campus to provide easier access for students. Northeast Valley Health Corporation will be on campus all semester long every Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to help students apply and select a health insurance plan suitable for them.
According to the certified enrollment counselor for Northeast Valley Health Corporation, Emily Escobedo, Covered California is the health insurance marketplace where people in California can go to shop and compare on a website.
“Based on a person’s income they would qualify for premium assistance and they would qualify for cost share and reductions,” Escobedo said. “It’s lower than shopping at a private insurance, and it’s affordable.”
Health Center Director Beth Benne, said having Covered California representatives on campus gives students easier access to getting quick information.
“Student’s aren’t doing it. We have too many students that are uninsured, too many students don’t have time, they’re going to school, they’re working,” Benne said. “They’re being penalized when they file their income tax, because they don’t have health insurance, and the fines are getting bigger and bigger.”
The Affordable Care Act have allowed for lower rates available to individuals and small businesses. You must be a resident, citizen or have a work permit to be eligible. Additional information needed for each individual is a valid California ID or driver’s licence, Social Security number, proof of address and proof of income.
This is the first year that Northeast Valley Health Corporation has come to Pierce College. They have certified enrollment counselors and educators available for students. They have been coming to different colleges in the San Fernando Valley to be of assistance to students in need of health insurance.
Elizabeth Ramirez, consumer relations specialists for Northeast Valley Health Corporation, is one of the representatives who will be available to students on campus on Mondays.
“Anywhere that we can target the majority of the people that we know might need it,” Ramirez said. “Covered California is based on those that don’t qualify for free health services so then Covered California is made for them affordable.”
As a result of the Affordable Care Act, it became mandatory as of 2014 for all the health coverage plans directed at individuals and small businesses to include an essential benefits package.
These benefits include ambulatory patient, emergency, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder, prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative, laboratory, pediatric (dental and vision), preventive and wellness, and chronic disease management services.
With certified counselors from Northeast Valley Health Corporation, students can have more accessibility to Covered California.
Second-year Pierce College student Efren Lopez, said having Covered California on campus gives students easier access to get information.
“Sometimes the website can be a bit difficult to navigate,” Lopez said. “Before you had to go online and the websites sometimes doesn’t work so I think it’s easier to get information from someone in person.”
Covered California representatives, will be available off-site at one of their 12 outreach and enrollment offices located throughout the San Fernando Valley, which are opened Monday through Saturday, according to Emily Escobedo.
“Health insurance is scary. I don’t really understand it, that’s why we brought in an expert, who will let you know if you qualify,” Benne said. “We truly believe everybody, especially students, should have health insurance.”
