CMS spearheading
paid media, outreach, and engagement campaign to increase enrollment prior
to August 15 deadline
Today, on the heels of health coverage sign
ups surpassing two million, the Biden-Harris
Administration is launching the “Summer Sprint to Coverage” campaign as
part of robust efforts to get more Americans to sign up for health coverage
in the final 30 days of the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) on
HealthCare.gov. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will
spearhead the “Summer Sprint to Coverage” campaign, mobilizing an all-hands
effort including integrated paid media placements, increased community
outreach, and more to encourage Americans who need coverage to sign up at
HealthCare.gov by August 15 for zero- cost or low-cost, quality health
insurance.
As a part the campaign, CMS is launching a
series of testimonial advertisements that feature stories of individuals
who have found real savings on HealthCare.gov.
The testimonials feature:
· Dorothy from Charlotte, NC, a hair stylist
who found a zero-dollar premium with financial assistance;
· Darrell & Erica from Duluth, GA, a
recently married couple hoping to have a family; and
· Jeremy from Houston, TX, a hard-working
café owner who pays less than $10 per month for coverage with financial
assistance.
These will run during prime-time television
programming and digital platforms, with increased outreach directed to
underserved and minority populations. CMS will also run the bilingual
campaign to promote the SEP during the Olympics and other high-profile
sporting events.
“Across the country, there’s a clear demand
and need for coverage – and thanks to President Biden and the American
Rescue Plan, it’s more affordable than ever on HealthCare.gov,” said
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Health care
is a right, not a privilege, and this renewed effort to reach as many
Americans as possible in the next 30 days is critical to delivering health
care and saving lives. Please tell your friends and family: if you lack
health insurance, now is the time to go to HealthCare.gov, find a plan that
works, and save money.” During the campaign, CMS will release
traditional advertisements, digital media resources, and educational
materials directed towards populations with high uninsured rates, such as
African Americans and young Latinos. In addition to advertising the SEP in
multiple mediums, CMS is increasing community and partner outreach with
Navigators, licensed agents and trusted messengers.
Additionally, CMS has created a 30-day toolkit for partners to amplify the
message of coverage options available during the SEP and the importance of
signing up before the August 15 deadline.
“Now is the time for Americans to act. The
peace of mind that comes with having health coverage for you and your
family is priceless. With costs at an all-time low, this is an excellent
opportunity for Americans to select a quality health care plan that works
best for them.," said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.
"This is an excellent opportunity to visit HealthCare.gov, update your
information, or apply and enroll in a plan. The deadline on August 15, so
check out HealthCare.gov today.”
This is just part of the Administration’s
commitment to make health care more affordable and accessible. The
Biden-Harris Administration is also working to lower prescription drug
costs, add dental, vision, and hearing benefits to Medicare, close the
Medicaid coverage gap, and extend the American Rescue Plan’s lower
premiums.
The 2021 SEP offers new and existing
consumers an opportunity to update or create a new application and newly
enroll or change their current plan selection. During the next 30 days,
consumers can apply on HealthCare.gov and select a new plan and take
advantage of reduced premiums, increased savings, and quality, affordable
health coverage. Since February 15, more than 2 million consumers have
signed up for coverage on HealthCare.gov which includes an additional
600,000 enrolling in coverage through the 15 state-based Marketplaces
during the SEP. Since the implementation of the American Rescue Plan (ARP)
on April 1, 1.2 million new and returning consumers have newly found
coverage for $10 or less per month after advance payments of premium tax credits.
Current Marketplace enrollees can review
their application anytime, make any needed changes to their current
information, submit their application, and reselect their current plan, to
ensure they maximize their savings for the rest of 2021 Marketplace
coverage. For those who are or have been unemployed, visiting the
Marketplace is more important than ever. As of July 1, consumers who
received or who are approved to receive unemployment compensation for any week in
2021, may be able to find even lower cost plans and save extra money on
out-of-pocket expenses through HealthCare.gov.
For many current enrollees who haven’t
updated their application and enrollment with the new savings by early
August, the Marketplace should automatically apply newly available savings
to their enrollment to ensure as many consumers as possible receive the ARP
enhanced benefits during the coverage year. This update will become
effective on September 1, 2021. However, the information used for that
automatic update will be based on information previously submitted by the
consumer.
Consumers can also call the Marketplace
Call Center at 1-800-318-2596, which provides assistance in over 200
languages. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. Consumers can also find a
local assister or agent/broker in their area: https://www.healthcare.gov/find-assistance/.
For more information about the American
Rescue Plan and the Health Insurance Marketplace®, visit:
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/american-rescue-plan-and-marketplace.
Health Insurance Marketplace® is
a registered service mark of the U.S. Department of Health & Human
Services.
This communication was printed,
published, or produced and disseminated at U.S. taxpayer expense.
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