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DC Health Link to Host Crucial Dialogue to Boost Health Insurance Enrollment for DC’s African Immigrant Community During COVID-19 Pandemic

In partnership with Mayor’s Office of African Affairs, town hall conversations will address the importance of quality health insurance coverage during a pandemic, health insurance literacy, health insurance and immigration and steps to gain access to heal

WHAT:
During a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, it is crucial that Americans have access to health care. However, the complexity of health insurance choices can be overwhelming to many consumers, especially members of immigrant communities. As a result, the need to understand health plan features is essential because health insurance coverage impacts access to health care services.

DC Health Link, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of African Affairs, is hosting town hall conversations about access to health insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The series, “Get the Facts. Get Covered: Health Insurance Enrollment During COVID-19” focuses on the value and benefits of having health insurance, providing consumers with the information and tools needed to access health insurance coverage through DC Health Link, health plan options including Medicaid, steps to enrollment, eligibility requirements, standard plans, and the Virtual One Touch Enrollment process. Information about FREE COVID-19 testing, diagnosis, treatment, and vaccines will also be shared.

The first conversation in this series was “Get the Facts. Get Covered: Health Insurance Literacy” and took place on March 17, 2021. Update: Upcoming session to be held in Spanish, French, Amharic, and Arabic are now combined into one larger program in which four languages will be offered for this town hall conversation with DC’s African immigrant community.

WHEN/WHERE:
Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Get the Facts. Get Covered: Health Insurance Special Enrollment Period During COVID 19 – A DC Health Link Virtual Town Hall
The town hall conversation, spoken in English, will have translation capabilities for the Spanish, Arabic, Amharic, and French speaking DC African communities.
Zoom Meeting Registration: http://bit.ly/GetTheFactsApr7
Presenter: DC Health Link, DC Department of Health Care Finance and Whitman Walker Health

For more information about the “Get the Facts. Get Covered: Health Insurance Special Enrollment Period During COVID 19” town hall conversations in this series, please contact Sophie Huang at [email protected]

BACKGROUND:
From now through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, residents—as well as employees and dependents of employers already covered through DC Health Link—can enroll using DC Health Link’s Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for COVID-19. All DC Health Link plans cover diagnosis, treatment, testing, and vaccination for COVID-19 for free.

DC Health Link has made enrollment just as easy as during Open Enrollment. Residents can login to their accounts at DCHealthLink.com, select ‘COVID-19’ as the special enrollment period, pick a start date, and select a plan. If residents sign up by March 31, they can choose for their coverage to start on either March 1 or April 1. In other words, residents signing up during the COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period can have coverage effective immediately.

Eligible District residents can enroll in a health insurance plan online through DCHealthLink.com, or by calling (855) 532-LINK [5465]. Some residents will qualify for reduced premiums. Small businesses – as well as individuals and families eligible for Medicaid – can enroll through DCHealthLink.com throughout the year.

For information on DC Health Link Coronavirus resources, visit https://www.dchealthlink.com/coronavirus.

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