Health Insurance and Libraries: An Oregon Update Nikki Dettmar, MSIS, Education and Assessment Coordinator National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Pacific Northwest Region

Introduction Nikki Dettmar – Medical Librarian – Specializing in online education – NN/LM, PNR – University of Washington – Serve 5 states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington

Introduction One of eight regions Sponsored by the National Library of Medicine NLM is part of the National Institutes of Health

What Does the Affordable Care Act Do?  Provides health care coverage to the uninsured  Offers subsidies and/or tax credits to make premiums affordable  Allows families to keep adult children on existing policies until age 26  Requires most people over the age of 18 to have coverage by January 2014  Assesses a penalty of 1 percent of annual income or $95 on those not covered  Penalty will increase to 2.5 percent or $695 by 2016

Some Major New Features  Coverage includes pre-existing conditions  Insurance cannot be canceled if you get sick  Insurers must justify rate increases  No lifetime limits on benefits

What can libraries do to help?  Provide accurate information referrals, alert for scams (look-alike websites, calls or s claiming to be from agents)  Create displays explaining the Affordable Care Act & health insurance  Provide computers and scanners so patrons can apply for coverage  Provide certified enrollment counselors at scheduled times  Partner with local agencies: Cover Oregon Certified Agents and Community Partners, hospitals, county health departments, insurance agencies, non- profits, community-based organization groups…  Featured highlights  Coos Bay Public Library  Washington County Cooperative Library Services

Resources and Tools  Determining the library’s role  Managing ACA information overload  Efficient use of Federal marketplace site for information  Other websites and resources  Consumer education and promotional materials  Summary conclusion

Determining the Library’s Role  Do an inventory of resources – staff, computers, meeting rooms and availability, time for training  Decide types and levels of service  Maintain neutrality; act as information providers, not insurance experts or advisors  Be knowledgeable about appropriate resources and services  Communicate with staff; ongoing communication between management and staff is key

Managing ACA Information Overload  Know your own state Border counties: CA, ID, NV & WA – all are State marketplaces  Anticipate the who, how, and what scenarios Individuals, families, small business, tribal, farming How to compare options, find forms, and sign up for coverage Timeline deadlines Enrollment: October 1, 2013 – March 31, 2014 Coverage effective: January 1, 2014 Who local Certified Agents and Community Partners are to refer more specific and detailed information requests to

Help Me, Please! 10/7/2015 National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Pacific Northwest Region9

Healthcare.gov

CuidadoDeSalud.gov

Healthcare.gov (continued)

marketplace.cms.gov

marketplace.cms.gov (continued)

Native American ACA Information NativeExchange.org (information, NOT marketplace) 10/7/2015 National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Pacific Northwest Region15

Patrons: State-Specific Information What is the Marketplace in my state? (OR: Cover Oregon) Search for other states using this tool to find individual state marketplace information healthcare.gov/what-is-the-marketplace-in-my-state/ Is Medicaid expanding in my state? (Yes for Oregon) The health care law provides states the choice to expand Medicaid. Learn more about your state’s decision here: healthcare.gov/what-if-my-state-is-not-expanding-medicaid/

State Details  Pacific Northwest Affordable Care Act information:

Training and Educational Opportunities  Webjunction webinars and blog  CMS training schedule  State town hall meetings  Navigator programs for the state (contacts through LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov)  Watch for information session announcements from local hospitals, clinics, and trusted providers of health information for ACA information specific to your community

MedlinePlus.gov MedlinePlus.gov has an extensive collection of links on the Health Insurance Health Topic page. When talking with library users about health insurance and health topics, introduce them to MedlinePlus for quality health information of all kinds

Health Insurance Health Topic Page

Moving Target  Expect that library services will evolve as deadlines come and go and as needs change.  Get informed and take advantage of trainings  Sign up for updates from state site, healthcare.gov, and MedlinePlus  Sign up for updates from Cover Oregon, WebJunction and other organizations  Watch for State listserv cross-posting from our Dragonfly blog for summaries of ACA updates specific to the states in the Pacific Northwest Region (that’s Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington)

Thank you! Nikki Dettmar