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On January 11, Secretary Sylvia Burwell of U.S. Health & Human Services visited Heart of Florida United Way to recognize the great work of our 2-1-1 Information and Assistance helpline and the efforts of the Central Florida Enrollment Coalition.
As the deadline for Open Enrollment quickly approaches—people have until Jan. 31 to sign up—it’s more important than ever to ensure you have appropriate health coverage. Thousands of people throughout Central Florida remain uninsured, putting them at risk of financial disaster in case of a medical emergency and subjecting themselves to a penalty as high as $695 for not having insurance.
The Central Florida Enrollment Coalition—a group made up by Heart of Florida United Way, Florida Hospital, Orlando Health, PCAN, SRA and Enroll America—came together to make it easier to get health insurance. Through this program, people call 2-1-1 and are connected with trained Navigators who help individuals find the best options to fit their specific situations.
“People were selecting plans a lot based on premiums and they needed to think about deductibles and co-pays as well, so having the ability to make an appointment through 2-1-1 with a trained professional is essential,” Burwell said.
Burwell applauded the work of initiatives like the Coalition and the role of 2-1-1 in connecting people to vital resources, and encouraged people to sign up through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
With medical debt being the number one cause of bankruptcy, affordable healthcare is a focus of United Way in ensuring people can be financially stable. For more information or to make an appointment, dial 2-1-1 or visit SignUpCentralFL.com.
