Health centers across the state will receive $3.4 million in federal grant money to hire dozens of workers to help enroll uninsured Georgians in the new health insurance exchange created by the Affordable Care Act.
Federal officials say the 29 centers, which serve more than 320,000 people annually, will play an important role in helping consumers understand new coverage options under the healthcare overhaul.
The health centers are expected to hire 62 new workers, who will also aid people in figuring out whether they are eligible for the Medicaid health program for the poor, or for federal subsidies to help buy private insurance on the Georgia exchange.
The new funding is part of a larger effort by the Obama administration to make applying for health coverage on the exchange as easy as possible.
Later this summer, health officials plan to award another round of grants to nonprofits and other community organizations to hire so-called “health insurance navigators,” who will also help customers.
Slated to open Oct. 1, exchanges are a key part of the ACA, which aims to help millions of uninsured Americans get health coverage. The website will allow consumers who don’t get coverage through a job to compare prices and benefits of dozens of health plans.
The law requires certain levels of coverage by participating plans, and the income-based subsidies are designed to make it affordable.
“This investment will give Georgia neighborhoods and towns one more resource to help people understand their insurance options and enroll in affordable coverage,” U.S. Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement.
The additional health center workers are expected to assist about 100,000 Georgians. Nationwide, more than 1,100 health centers will receive $150 million in federal grant dollars.
People can already start to learn about the exchanges by visiting HealthCare.gov. Consumer call centers are also now up and running.
The exchanges are not affected by the Obama administration’s recent move to delay the so-called “employer mandate” that requires certain businesses to offer coverage or face penalties. Insurance plans bought through the exchanges will take effect Jan. 1.
Informational events are also being planned in Georgia, said Renard Murray, administrator of the Atlanta and Dallas regions for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
“There’s a lot of work going on,” he said. “We’re on track.”
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