What/Who:

DC Health Link continues to push its “Faith in Action” health insurance enrollment initiative with just weeks left for families and individuals to enroll in health coverage through DC Health Link. This weekend, DC Health Link will once again offer residents and small business the opportunity to get information about health insurance plans, find out if they quality for special rates to reduce insurance premiums, and to get assistance with the enrollment process. Consumers are strongly urged to visit an enrollment center as soon as possible to beat the last minute enrollment rush and to avoid the tax penalty.

Residents who do not enroll before March 31 will not be able to enroll in health insurance until November, 2014 (unless special circumstances, like loss of job- based health insurance, qualify you for a special enrollment period). If residents do not have health coverage and do not enroll with DC Health Link, they may face a tax penalty of $95 per adult and $47.50 per child or 1% of their income, whichever is greater.

DC Health Link certified assisters and licensed health insurance brokers will be available at each of the faith based enrollment locations and events. The “Faith in Action” education and enrollment effort continues to occur throughout the month of March this weekend and every weekend until the end of the open enrollment period.

This weekend’s “Faith in Action” activities kick-off today at the Islamic Center of DC, located at 2551 Massachusetts Ave., NW from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm.
 

When/Where:

Background:

The new health law provides individuals, families, and small businesses in the District of Columbia with new options for quality, affordable health insurance. DC Health Link is the District’s online health insurance marketplace that allows visitors to shop, compare, and buy coverage that fits their needs and budgets.

Eligible residents have until March 31, 2014, to enroll in a health insurance plan through DCHealthLink.com. Those who enroll before March 15, 2014, will have benefits effective April 1, 2014. Small businesses can enroll through DCHealthLink.com at any point.

Faith leaders are being asked to share information from their pulpits about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and quality, affordable health plans offered through DCHealthLink.com.

About the DCHL “From the Pulpit to the Pews” Faith based strategy - DC Health Link faith based initiative, which began last year, is designed to actively engage faith leaders in the campaign to educate and enroll District residents, small businesses and employees in affordable health insurance coverage. Some of the faith based activities include Interfaith Saturday and Interfaith Sunday where faith leaders and/or DCHL speakers share information with congregations about the ACA and DC Health Link during the worship services. These speaking engagements are followed by enrollment activities. Other activities include special enrollment events, education and enrollment summits, health fairs and faith based enrollment centers. Special musical concerts, ecumenical prayer breakfasts and faith based street team outreach are also included along with a faith based outreach tool kit.