Greater Family Health Is Awarded a Grant to Assist ACA Outreach and Enrollment

July 19, 2013

Elgin, IL – Greater Family Health announced today it is one of 44 community-based organizations around the state of Illinois that was selected to participate in the outreach and enrollment effort for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Greater Elgin will be conducting outreach, providing education and facilitating enrollment in the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace.

Greater Family Health has also engaged two community partners, Centro de Informacion and YWCA of Elgin, as subcontractors through this grant to assist in education and enrollment efforts. The 3 agencies together will focus on the City of Elgin, northern Kane and northwest Cook Counties.

Enrollment in the Marketplace will begin on Oct. 1, with pre-enrollment activities beginning later this summer. Individuals interested in making an appointment to meet with a Health Benefits Specialist can contact 844.599.3700 beginning September 1^st or visit Greater Family Health’s website at GreaterFamilyHealth.org.

“Greater Family Health is very proud to have been selected to participate in the effort to launch the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace,” said Bob Tanner, President/CEO of Greater Family Health. “Our organization’s mission is to provide quality, affordable care for all and we look forward to working with both Centro and YWCA to help educate the public about the options that will be available through the Marketplace.”

“We’ve seen an outpouring of interest from community groups across Illinois who understand the importance of this historic effort and are eager to be involved,” Governor Quinn said. “These proven organizations have stepped up and joined our movement to get the word out about insurance options that will improve the health of the people of Illinois. Our goal is to reach out to every corner of the state and make sure that no one is left out of this historic opportunity to obtain quality health coverage and the peace of mind that comes with it.”

The state has received federal funding to cover the start-up costs and the first year of operations of the Marketplace. Over the coming weeks and months, selected staffers for Greater Family Health, YWCA and Centro de Informacion will take part in an intensive training program designed to prepare them to educate area residents about the ACA and their health care options. The grants were awarded through a competitive application process administered by the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

“We know that many of those of who are eligible for subsidized coverage through the ACA have never, or rarely, had access to comprehensive health coverage. Our goal is to help them make decisions about what kind of health care coverage best suits their needs,” Marketplace Director Jennifer Koehler said. “We have a big job to do between now and Oct. 1 in terms of educating our target population about the opportunities for quality coverage available to them through the Health Insurance Marketplace.”

“The ACA presents an historic opportunity for us to improve the overall health of the people of Illinois,” IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said. “We are very fortunate to be able to partner with these dedicated community groups from all across the state to help us get the word out and ensure that every eligible person in Illinois who needs health coverage is able to obtain it through the Marketplace.” Enrollment in the Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace will begin on Oct. 1, with coverage to start Jan. 1, 2014. The Marketplace will be accessed through a user-friendly website where individuals, families and small businesses will be able to compare health care policies and premiums and purchase comprehensive health coverage. Those with income between 138 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty level will receive subsidies on a sliding scale if they obtain coverage through the marketplace.

Greater Family Health offers care out of 28 Health Centers, with 5 of those full-time locations located in Elgin, McHenry and Streamwood. Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Family Medicine, Gynecology, Psychiatry, Dental Care and an array of supportive services are offered.

The organization is accredited by The Joint Commission, indicating compliance with the highest standards of health care in the United States, is certified as a Patient Centered/Primary Care Medical Home and provides care regardless of the patient’s ability to pay.

More information about Greater Family Health is available at GreaterFamilyHealth.org.