Ohio DOI Receives $1.1M Consumer Assistance Grant

The Ohio Department of Insurance is receiving a $1.1 million consumer assistance grant funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The insurance department says it will use the grant to:

• Help consumers enroll in health coverage;
• Help consumers file complaints and appeals against health plans;
• Educate consumers about their rights and empower them to take action; and
• Track consumer complaints to help identify problems and strengthen enforcement.

The department will partner with the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, UCAHN Ohio, Family Voices of Ohio and the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities to carry out the goals of this federal grant program.

The Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks will serve as the initial point of contact to assist consumers with enrollment in public assistance options or to refer callers to the department to assist with enrollment in a health insurance plan if the consumer can afford coverage or to answer questions about an insurance claim if the consumer is already insured.

Ohio’s consumer assistance program has the potential to benefit thousands of Ohioans and will assist consumers both now as we transition to a more competitive, patient-centered health insurance marketplace in 2014 and once that new marketplace is established.

Source: Ohio Department of Insurance

Topics Ohio