NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2013
Contact: Veronica Mikitka 484.241.0473 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, Health and Human Services Region III Director Joanne Grossi and PHMC Certified Application Counselors help
underinsured and uninsured Philadelphians enroll in the new insurance options
PHILADELPHIA –Rising Sun Health Center, a program of Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) and one of five nurse-managed federally qualified health centers in the PHMC health network, hosted an all day kick-off event to launch the Health Insurance Marketplace's first day of open enrollment. Honorable Vincent Hughes, Pennsylvania State Senator; Joanne Grossi, Region III Director of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services; and Melissa Fox, Managing Director of Health Services at PHMC, discussed the impact of the Marketplace for Philadelphians and met with dozens of potential applicants. In addition, PHMC's Certified Application Counselors as well as the Independence Express, Independence Blue Cross's mobile education and enrollment center staffed with licensed sales representatives, were on-hand to answer questions and offer assistance with the enrollment process.
Under the Affordable Care Act, most citizens are required to have health insurance by 2014. The Health Insurance Marketplace gives individuals the ability to determine eligibility and identify coverage options that fit their budget and needs. The enrollment period begins October 1, 2013 and ends March 31, 2014.
"The Health Insurance Marketplace serves a critical need by offering access to affordable healthcare insurance, underscoring the importance of health prevention and maintenance," said Melissa Fox, Director of Health Services at PHMC. "At PHMC, we're proud to be an advocate for the Philadelphia community, and our ten Certified Application Counselors are on point to provide information and enrollment assistance so patients can make the best decisions possible."
The October 1st event is the first in a series of enrollment activities PHMC will host in partnership with the Independence Express mobile education and enrollment center throughout the enrollment period. PHMC's ten Certified Application Counselors are available across the PHMC heath network during center hours Monday through Friday for patients on a walk-in basis. The five centers in the network include: Mary Howard Health Center, PHMC Health Connection, PHMC Care Clinic, Rising Sun Health Center and Congreso Health Center. More information on upcoming events can be found on PHMC's website, www.phmc.org.
"Our goal is to ensure all individuals in our region are informed about the Marketplace, their health insurance options, where they can have their questions answered and where they can enroll," said Joanne Grossi, Region III Director of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. "Enrollment events and information sessions hosted by organizations like PHMC further the intent of the Affordable Care Act and are critical to the success of the Marketplace."
About PHMC Health Network
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. The PHMC health network consists of five nurse-managed, federally qualified health centers offering affordable, high-quality, patient centered health services to communities throughout the Philadelphia area, including public housing populations and individuals experiencing homelessness. They share a simple mission: to provide comprehensive primary health care, family planning, disease management, social services and more to men, women and children. Nurse-managed health clinics are staffed by advanced practice nurses and an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals working in collaboration with the community to serve as a medical home and safety-net provider for America's underserved communities, regardless of a patient's ability to pay. The PHMC health network is committed to their Beyond Care concept, a holistic, patient-centered approach to quality care provided by experts who organize care around the community's needs. Three locations have certification by the National Centers for Quality Assurance as a Patient Centered Medical Home. PHMC is also home to the National Nursing Centers Consortium, a network of over 250 nurse-managed health centers nationally. For more information visit www.phmc.org and www.phmchealthnetwork.org.
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