Nebraskans found Health Insurance thanks to new 2-1-1 partnership
Free service by United Ways Nebraska 2-1-1 connected customers to health coverage assisters
During the 2015-16 Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period that concluded in January, a record number of Nebraskans – more than 87,000 – enrolled in or renewed health insurance plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
A new partnership between Nebraska 2-1-1 and Enroll Nebraska helped reach this outstanding total thanks to United Way’s 2-1-1 service, which helped direct Nebraskans to assistance in finding the health coverage they needed.
From October 2015 to January 2016, more than 12,000 Nebraskans called 2-1-1 for help locating critical services. Of those, more than 300 people requested information about health insurance Assisters in their community through Enroll Nebraska’s statewide network. This resulted in more Nebraskans getting the needed help to find a health insurance plan to cover their family.
“Our analysis of the 2-1-1 data shows Nebraskans found it a very useful tool to help get the health insurance that everyone needs,” said Lena Thompson, United Way of the Midlands’ Call Center Senior Director. “The goal of 2-1-1 is to make sure Nebraskans are getting access to the critical services that help them meet their basic needs, and health coverage is an important part of the overall picture in Nebraska.”
During the enrollment period, callers who reached 2-1-1 were surveyed on their insurance situation. If they requested, they were then connected with an Enroll Nebraska Enrollment Assister in their community, and then received a follow-up call within one month to see the outcome.
Eric Savaiano, statewide coordinator of Enroll Nebraska, said 2-1-1 proved to be another helpful resource that help Nebraska greatly exceed their health coverage enrollment goals.
“For the first three enrollment periods through the Marketplace, Nebraska has surpassed goals set for our state at the federal level thanks to the hard work of Navigators and Assisters across the state,” Savaiano said. “United Way’s 2-1-1 service has proven to be another valuable resource to connect Nebraskans with health coverage assistance. We look forward to partnering with them in the future to make sure as many Nebraskans as possible can find the health coverage they need.”
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