“The Affordable Care Act will expand access to health insurance for millions of Americans and broaden health benefits, but many Americans have had little experience purchasing health coverage and are confused about what the law means to them,” Maureen Sullivan, BCBSA senior vice president of strategic services and chief strategy officer, said in a release. “Our partnership with Walgreens is another example of our commitment to ensuring that all Americans have the tools they need to understand these changes and access affordable health insurance coverage that meets their needs.”
The Obama administration is trying to get prominent private organizations across the country, including professional sports teams and leagues, to participate in the public education campaign around the healthcare reform law. Health insurers are particularly interested in getting the word out to ensure that a large number of healthy younger Americans who currently are uninsured sign up for coverage, to balance out the costs of covering the older, sicker people who are expected to enroll.
According to a poll conducted in April by the not-for-profit Kaiser Family Foundation, 49% of Americans surveyed said they don't have enough information about the ACA to understand the impact it will have on their family. That percentage rises to 58% among the uninsured.
“There's a lot of confusion, a lot of questions and it'll take a tremendous, collaborative effort to make sure people have the information they need to make informed choices,” Brad Fluegel, Walgreens senior vice president and chief strategy officer, said in the release.
HHS has launched a website, hotline and online chat feature to help people learn about the ACA before open enrollment in the exchanges begins Oct. 1.
Follow Rachel Landen on Twitter: @MHrlanden
