Fort Lauderdale – Broward County has begun the final countdown to February 15, 2015, the last day that residents who may not have health care insurance can sign up and select a health plan under the Affordable Health Care Act.
Broward Regional Health Planning Council (BRHPC) is making a push to ensure people know how easy it is to sign up. The organization has teamed up with several local community-based organizations: 211-Broward, Hispanic Unity of Florida, Urban League of Broward County, and Community Access Centers to provide free consultation and enrollment services, especially to those who are most likely to benefit from the financial subsidies and health care benefits.
“We are focusing our efforts on central Broward communities because of their high concentration of uninsured people who are also employed. They can afford to pay for health insurance plans at subsidized rates,” said Michael DeLucca, President and CEO, BRHPC. “Our goal is to make sure they know how and where to enroll, and that they must sign up by February 15th.” BRHCP is also running “Countdown” ads to reach English and non-English speaking residents in local newspapers, online and on radio, hoping to capture the attention and educate individuals who have not yet enrolled.”
Florida leads the country with more than 1.2 million enrollments; however there are still thousands of people who have not yet signed up in Broward County. Individuals and families, even if they have been denied insurance in the past, are encouraged to log onto www.brhpc.org or call 954-561-9681 for help with the enrollment process and to learn about financial assistance.
The following items must be brought to the appointment to enroll:
- Social Security number
- Annual Income
- Naturalization or Immigration documentation
“Those who miss the February 15th deadline will not be able to sign up until the next enrollment period in October,” DeLucca added. “There are some exceptions, such as people who lose their job and subsequently their insurance, or have changes in the family like a marriage or a divorce.”
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Navigators who speak Spanish, Haitian-Creole, French and English are available to help individuals through the enrollment process.
- West Regional Library
8601 W. Broward Blvd. Plantation: Jan 20, Jan 27, Feb 3, Feb 10
5:30pm – 8:00pm - Northwest Regional Library
3151 University Drive, Coral Springs: Jan 26, Feb 2, Feb 9
5:30pm – 8:00pm - Hallandale Beach Community Center
410 SE 3rd Street, Hallandale Beach: January 31
10:00am – 3:00pm - Broward College North Campus
1000 Coconut Creek Blvd, Bldg. 52 Room 235, Coconut Creek: January 31
10:00am – 4:00 pm
For more information, call 954-561-9681, email [email protected] or log onto www.brhpc.org
