With the Affordable Care Act taking effect in 2014 and the enrollment period beginning Oct. 1, Fresno State will participate in two projects to educate Californians about the new state health insurance exchange, Covered California™

Covered California™ Enrollment Fair, noon – 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Free Speech Area Platform on campus

CSU Health Insurance Education Project (HIEP), one of several outreach and education programs funded by Covered California that is reaching out to students at all 23 CSU campuses and coordinated locally by the Fresno State Department of Public Health

On Tuesday, Covered California is making announcements in five California locations including at Fresno State, the only college venue selected.

Diana S. Dooley, California Secretary of Health and Human Services and board chair of Covered California, will speak along with other state and local officials at 1 p.m.

Dooley, a Fresno State alumna, will be welcomed by Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro, Associated Students Inc. Vice President Sean Kiernan and other campus co-sponsors: Fresno State’s Department of Public Health and Student Affairs/Student Health Center.

 

Also speaking will be Blong Xiong, Fresno City Council member, and  Sarah Reyes,  senior program officer for the California Endowment serving the Central Valley and former California Assembly member.

Fresno State’s two HIEP student outreach counselors (Diana Valdovinos from Exeter and Laura Calderon from Fresno, both enrolled in the master’s of Public Health program) and representatives from other agencies will be available to assist with information about insurance plan options and enrollment. The event is open to the public. Parking is $3 and available at dispensers.

The Health Insurance Education Project is funded through a $1.25 million Covered California grant to California State University, Los Angeles, in partnership with the Chancellor’s Office, for statewide outreach and communications efforts to all CSU students and their families.

The project includes campus events, classroom presentations, information videos and a customized website especially designed for CSU students and their families.

According to Dr. Vickie D. Krenz, Public Health professor who is coordinating the Fresno State HIEP, Fresno State is committed to ensuring that students have access to the information they need to make informed healthcare decisions for themselves and their dependents.

“Fresno State joins the CSU Office of the Chancellor in advocating for and supporting access to healthcare options for students and employees,” Krenz said.

According to the university’s data, about 70 percent Fresno State students may be eligible for the expanding Medi-Cal program or subsidies when enrolling in Covered California.

Walter Zelman, chair of CSULA’s Department of Public Health and the grant’s principal investigator, said that under the new law these individuals may be eligible for either Medi-Cal or government subsidies when they purchase insurance through Covered California.

“Even for those students who are not eligible for subsidies, many can purchase insurance through Covered California, where they should have more choices, and a guaranteed level of care, than in the current system — and very possibly a lower health insurance premium,” Zelman said.

A Sept. 18 memo from CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White encouraged all CSU presidents to support this system-wide effort to inform CSU students and their families about the new healthcare options. He also recorded a video message with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Regional Director Herb Schultz.

For more information contact Krenz at 559.278.2684 or vickik@csufresno.edu.

PUBLIC PARKING – Covered California event Oct. 1 at Fresno State

Closest public parking for this event is in Lot G (enter campus at Scott Ave. from Cedar, north of Shaw – by tennis courts) or Lot C (Shaw and Maple – northeast corner). Parking dispensers available at each lot. Daily permit = $3.00. Allow time for parking. Lots may be near capacity by mid-day. For other parking lots, see map. See full release about the CSU Health Insurance Education Project: Covered California kickoff and information fair Oct.1

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