IEHP joins Covered California Open Enrollment event

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) brought health insurance education to one of the region’s most vulnerable service areas on Jan. 9.

The Rancho Cucamonga-based health plan took part in a special Covered California Open Enrollment event at the Ruben Campos Community Center in San Bernardino. Hosted by Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) and Covered California, the event connected IE residents to health care services available in their own backyard.

“Many do not know help is available,” said Wayne Guzman, director of sales and outreach for IEHP. “Often, people can obtain coverage for less than $10 a month, and we really want the community to be aware of this opportunity before open enrollment closes on Jan. 31.”

During the event, bilingual enrollment specialists answered questions about the sign-up process and what programs and benefits are offered through IEHP Covered. ARMC’s mobile clinic also provided the following services to patients without coverage or with limited resources, including:

• Health screenings and immunizations
• Lab testing
• Diabetes education and care
• Physicals and treatment for acute and chronic illnesses
• Well-child exams and women’s services, including mammograms

For ARMC, partnerships like the one established with IEHP are vital to its mission.

“Most of our patients have IEHP,” said Sandra Cruz, a registered nurse with the Colton-based facility. “It’s just an easy flow for the patient, and [IEHP] has so many resources for them.”

IEHP officially joined Covered California on Jan. 1 and offers the lowest cost Silver plan in the Inland Empire. During the annual renewal eligibility process, IEHP officials estimate approximately 15,000 to 20,000 of its members lose their Medi-Cal coverage due to an income increase. According to new state guidelines, they will now be automatically enrolled into the lowest cost Silver plan available, which is IEHP Covered.

Although California has made more progress than any other state in expanding access to health coverage and lowering the uninsured rate from over 17% to a record low of 6.5%, there is still more work to be done.

“It’s our mission to reach and support those Californians who are going without coverage, particularly the over 1.3 million who are estimated to be eligible for low or no-cost coverage either through Covered California or Medi-Cal,” said Jessica Altman, executive director of Covered California. “It’s through communities like [San Bernardino] where we know there are Californians who have access to benefits aren’t taking advantage of them, and we want to help connect them to that coverage.”

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) participated in a special Covered California Open Enrollment event Jan. 9 at the Ruben Campos Community Center in San Bernardino. IEHP, along with representatives from Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) and Covered California, met with residents and shared information about how to get low cost health coverage through the exchange.

Mayra Nava-Flores, an IEHP Covered enrollment specialist, speaks with a San Bernardino resident about how to register for health care coverage through Covered California.

Kiara Paredes, an IEHP Covered enrollment specialist, interacts with Lala Cruz, 3 of San Bernardino, during a special Covered California enrollment event hosted by the health care exchange and Colton-based Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.

IEHP Covered is a new product launched by IEHP to provide health care services to residents living in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, including those who have transitioned out of Medi-Cal.