TEN_2_13_Acc.pdf

ETA Advisory File Text

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WASHINGTON D.C. 20210 TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT NOTICE NO. 2-13 DATE July 29 2013 TO STATE WORKFORCE AGENCIES STATE WORKFORCE ADMINISTRATORS STATE WORKFORCE LIAISONS STATE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE BOARD CHAIRS AND DIRECTORS STATE LABOR COMMISSIONERS AMERICAN JOB CENTERS ALL EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION GRANTEES FROM ERIC M. SELEZNOW s Acting Assistant Secretary SUBJECT Preparing for the New Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage Options 1. Purpose. This notice is to inform the public workforce investment system about the new insurance coverage opportunities in the new Health Insurance Marketplace as part of the Affordable Care Act ACA and to outline potential opportunities to assist job seekers and business customers about how and where to sign up for coverage. 2. Background. Beginning in October 2013 key components of the Affordable Care Act will take effect most importantly the opening of the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace will be a one-stop shop for consumers and small businesses to compare qualified health plans get answers to questions find out if they are eligible for financial assistance for private insurance or health programs like Medicaid and the Children s Health Insurance Program CHIP and enroll in a health plan that meets their needs. Starting in October 2013 individuals and small businesses will be able to enroll in health insurance directly through the Marketplace website www.healthcare.gov or by calling a toll-free phone hotline 1-800-318-2596 TTY 1-855-889-4325 . To help inform individuals and small business about the new health insurance options coming available the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HHS launched an updated www.healthcare.gov with new tools videos and other resources to help individuals learn about the Marketplace and a new toll-free line for individuals 1-800-318-2596 TTY 1-855-889-4325 open 24 hours a day seven days a week with translation services available for 150 languages. These resources and other educational materials are also intended to assist professionals who connect individuals to supportive services with Marketplace referral information. 3. Options Available. Frontline staff and managers in the public workforce system have an opportunity to help educate uninsured job seekers and workers about the new health care law so that these individuals are able to make informed decisions about the health care coverage 2 that best meets their needs. The Department of Labor suggests that state and local workforce investment boards WIBs American Job Centers AJCs and grantees share information on the Health Insurance Marketplace with job seekers and workers as appropriate. Below are potential opportunities the workforce system can consider to raise awareness on the new insurance options coming available through the Affordable Care Act Share Resources with Job seekers and Workers o Connect jobseekers and workers in need of insurance to www.healthcare.gov or the Marketplace toll free number 1-800-318-2596 1-855-889-4325 TTY to speak with a trained customer service representative o Display posters on the Marketplace in prominent places o Distribute brochures and fact sheets on the Marketplace to clients and o Order brochures and posters as needed at no cost through http productordering.cms.hhs.gov Update Web sites Display widgets and badges that link to information on the Health Insurance Marketplace via www.healthcare.gov from workforce system Web sites Update Call Centers Provide recorded messages with information referring job seekers and workers to the 24 7 Marketplace Call Center number 1-800-318-2596 or 1-855-889-4325 for the hearing impaired or www.healthcare.gov while callers are on hold Train Front Line Staff Watch a webinar overview of the accomplishments of the Affordable Care Act and a basic introduction to the Marketplace highlighting who is eligible and how the Marketplace will work. Webinar training can be accessed at http marketplace.cms.gov training get-training.html . 4. Official Health Insurance Marketplace Resources. AJCs will have the opportunity to order materials such as brochures posters and other educational resources at no cost through http productordering.cms.hhs.gov and these materials are also available electronically at http marketplace.cms.gov getofficialresources publications-and-articles publications-and- articles.html . There are also several resources available in English Spanish and other languages to assist state workforce agencies WIBs and grantee staff in providing information on the Health Insurance Marketplace for jobseekers and others who may benefit. Some of these resources include About the Health Insurance Marketplace brochure http marketplace.cms.gov GetOfficialResources Publications-and-articles about- the-marketplace-english.pdf which gives a general overview of the Health Insurance Marketplace. Things to Think About When Choosing a Plan brochure http marketplace.cms.gov GetOfficialResources Publications-and-articles things-to- 3 think-about-when-choosing-a-plan.pdf which provides information to help individuals select a Marketplace plan that will meet their needs and budget. Get Ready to Enroll in the Marketplace fact sheet http marketplace.cms.gov GetOfficialResources Publications-and-articles get- ready-to-enroll-in-the-marketplace.pdf which provides information to let people know what they can do before open enrollment begins to prepare to apply. Key Dates for the Health Insurance Marketplace fact sheet http marketplace.cms.gov GetOfficialResources Publications-and-articles key- dates-for-the-health-insurance-marketplace.pdf which outlines key dates including getting help enrolling and coverage start dates. How the Marketplace Works infographic http marketplace.cms.gov GetOfficialResources Logo-and-infographics how- marketplace-works-4-steps.pdf which explains the 4 steps individuals and families go through when they apply and enroll in the Marketplace. Marketplace application checklist http marketplace.cms.gov GetOfficialResources Publications-and- articles marketplace-application-checklist.pdf which provides information about what people need to have on hand to apply for coverage in the Marketplace. More information and resources on the Health Insurance Marketplace are also available at the following Web sites o Center for Medicare Medicaid Services CMS Health Insurance Marketplace Home Page If you are a professional learning about the Marketplace and helping people apply visit http marketplace.cms.gov to get the latest resources. o Healthcare.gov Home Page If you are a job seeker or worker ready to learn about and buy health insurance through the Marketplace visit the official Marketplace Web site for individuals and small businesses. o Marketplace Resources Web Page All official resources can be found at http marketplace.cms.gov getofficialresources publications-and- articles publications-and-articles.html . 5. Webinar on Resources for American Job Centers. State workforce agency WIB AJC and grantee staff may attend a webinar specifically designed to help educate partners about the Health Insurance Marketplace and provide referral information. This webinar will provide an overview of the Marketplace and discussion on utilizing resources for education and outreach. The webinar will be scheduled in August. Watch https www.workforce3one.org page webinars for details on the date and time. 4 6. Frequently Asked Questions. FAQs can be found at https questions.cms.gov faq.php id 5005 rtopic 1993 7. Inquiries. Information about the Health Insurance Marketplace is available at 1-800-318- 2596 1-855-889-4325 TTY or www.healthcare.gov . 8. Attachments. Marketplace phone message script.