United Way: Few sign up for insurance assistance program
Since Oct. 1, only three people out of a potential 6,000 have successfully signed up for United Way of Dane County’s new Health Connect program.
Health Connect is an effort to help people pay for insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act, especially those people ho were dropped by BadgerCare.
A United Way spokesperson said the small number of people signing up is because of the federal government’s troubled online exchange website. Residents can only sign up for Health Connect after they purchase a silver-level insurance plan from the exchange website.
“Our message is: Stick with it. Don’t let the frustration level grow to a point where you disengage from trying to obtain health care. We want people to know there are places in the community they can go for assistance,” said Jay Young, community engagement coordinator for Health Connect.
Anyone with health care plan questions can call United Way’s 211 line or visit the Dane County Jobs Center Monday through Friday. Residents can speak with insurance providers directly on Thursdays between 1 and 6 p.m.
