Millennial YoungInvincibles.org facebook.com/together.invincible Engaging Hard to Reach Populations: Notes from the Field

Who is Young Invincibles?

Agenda  Healthy Young America Campaign  Overview of Immigrant Populations  Outreach Best Practices and Messaging  Tips for Assisters and Navigator

Healthy Young America  Campaign goals: ▫ Educate and help enroll 25,000 young adults nationwide ▫ Train partners to effectively reach young adults ▫ Reach another 1 million young adults through digital engagement ▫ Increase health care literacy through workshops and focus groups

Young Adults In Immigrant Communities  According to the latest US Census data, nearly 47% of non-citizens under the age of 35 years old.  In 2010, Mexico, India, and the Philippines were country of birth for majority of immigrants in the US.  In 2011, the median age for refugees arriving in the US was 24 years old.  Immigrants make up over 31% of the uninsured population.

Looking Ahead to OE3 Challenges:  Harder to reach populations  “Low hanging fruit” are gone  Less media attention  Timing of open enrollment Advantages:  Experience in OE1 & OE2  Strong partnerships  Less political stigma  8 million newly insured, 8 million new advocates

Reaching New Partners  Colleges and Universities - International Student Depts  Grocery stores and restaurants  Faith Based Organizations  Safety Net Programs  Food pantries  Utility shut off programs  Free tax preparation programs  ESL Programs  Public School Systems  Libraries

Accessing Different Communities  It can be difficult to gain trust as an outsider  Take your time! It may require multiple touches  Solutions: Have several small events like tabling. Allows you to build trust and consistency Start slow and secure trusted sources Allow them to become your advocates.

Best Outreach Practice Tip #1  Navigators and CACs in VA canvassed local Korean and Latino grocery stores parking lots during high traffic times to inform consumers about upcoming enrollment events

Best Practice Tip #2  Many times Faith Leaders are open to additional help and can provide you with language assistance  Research the different places of worship in the community you want to reach ▫ Ex. We wanted to reach the Middle Eastern immigrant population in NoVA for OE2 ▫ Enroll VA held events at ADAMS Center and St Mark’s Coptic Church

Best Practice Tip #3 Outreach during Social Events  Locating places where members of these communities meet for fun.  By building a partnership with these community partners it allows you to speak large audience.  Community fairs and Heritage Celebration days usually have committees and have turnouts hundreds of individuals

Messaging Remains the Same  Top message: “low cost plans are available through the marketplace”  Fine amounts in 2015 & 2016 pushes uninsured to enroll  In-person assistance  Financial help WITH income figures  Affordability as top priority

Other Findings  Willingness to reduce going out to eat, recreation & vacation to afford health insurance  90% of Focus Group Participants looked online but did not enroll ▫ Cost was major barrier ▫ 21% - problems with website ▫ 21% - too confusing ▫ 17% - didn’t find a plan that met my needs ▫ 15% rather pay the fine

Top Reasons to Look for Coverage  All health plans will cover preventive care, doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription drugs, maternity care, mental health care and more services  All plans cover preventive care at no additional cost to you  None of the health plans can deny you based on pre- existing conditions

Messages: Based on Cost  Most young adults will find a plan that is free or subsidized coverage  Highlight stories of consumers with low cost plans  Ex: VA young mother & her child got covered for $17/month  Free preventive services: flu shots, yearly check ups, contraception, HIV/STI screenings, etc.  Keep it real & relate the cost to other monetary items

How much do I pay… Without Insurance:With Insurance:  First, meet your deductible: $1,000  Then. you pay 30% of the costs You pay: $5, You pay the whole cost:  Hospital Stay: $13,729  Surgery: $1,986  Anesthesia: $849 Total: $16,564 for a broken leg?

How to Tackle Language Barriers  Language Many organizations struggle to find materials offered in enough languages to serve their diverse communities  Solutions CMS has materials offered in dozens of languages. Recruit volunteers through language departments and student groups at local universities

Assisters and Navigators  Immigration SEP  There are several immigration status changes that can trigger a SEP  Citizenship and Permanent Resident Status  Individuals have up to 60 days after they’ve received their citizenship or permanent resident status to enroll in coverage.  Other immigration statuses  Individuals who have other major changes in their immigration statuses are also eligible for this SEP.  Ex. Asylee with Work Authorization

Looking Ahead: Year Three  Open Enrollment:  November 1 st – January 31 st  Stay Healthy! Young America Week:  October 26 th – 31 st 2016 plans begin: ▫ January 1 st National Youth Enrollment Day: ▫ January 21 st

Questions? Sade Moonsammy-Gray