THE VALUED VOICE

OCI/DHS Health Care Coverage Partnership Advisory Council Kickoff

In June, Governor Tony Evers announced the formation of the Health Care Coverage Partnership, directing the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) and the Department of Health Services (DHS) to develop strategies aimed at enrolling more Wisconsinites in high-quality, affordable health insurance coverage.

“Together, we intend to take a series of actions that will connect more Wisconsinites to health care coverage and to promote a healthy individual insurance marketplace,” said DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm.

On July 11, WHA was part of a stakeholder Advisory Council convened by OCI and DHS leadership to discuss the following goals:

• Improve outreach and education on all forms of insurance
• Increase enrollment
• Improve retention and reduce churn
• Increase health insurance literacy

The Advisory Council effort will have a strong focus on targeting populations eligible for, but not enrolled in, Medicaid and heavily subsidized plans available via the exchange. Currently, approximately 40,000 individuals who are eligible for Medicaid (incomes below 100% FPL) are uninsured. Likewise, 30,000 people who have incomes below 138% FPL would qualify for low-cost options in the health care exchange market, but are also uninsured.

“WHA has a long history of advocacy around increasing health coverage enrollment and has worked to ensure there is no ‘coverage gap’ for low-income Wisconsin residents,” said Eric Borgerding, WHA President. “We fully support the goals outlined for this initiative and look forward to coordinating efforts to continue to expand health insurance coverage.”

In the weeks and months ahead, the Advisory Council will continue to discuss available resources and coordination of activities to improve insurance outreach and enrollment efforts.

For more information about the Health Care Coverage Partnership, contact WHA Vice President of Public Policy Lisa Ellinger.