In July 2008, Health Care for Health Care Workers began an education and outreach effort in Vermont to encourage uninsured direct care workers to enroll in one of the state health insurance programs depending on the worker’s eligibility. This project was launched through a partnership with the Vermont Association of Professional Care Providers (VAPCP), the Vermont Campaign for Healthcare Security Education Fund, and VT AARP.
Working with the HCHCW campaign and the other partners, AARP developed a customized brochure (pdf) for direct-care workers to serve as an educational and enrollment tool about Catamount Health, a new state-subsidized program available to Vermonters earning up to 300 percent of poverty. This brochure was sent to over 4,500 direct care workers who are employed directly by their consumers, and paid with state Medicaid funds through a local payroll service. This mailing encouraged uninsured direct care workers to call an 800-number to determine the program for which they are eligible.
Based on the analysis of data from the Legislative Study of the Direct Care Workforce in Vermont (pdf) which suggested many workers would be eligible for programs other than Catamount, this fall, HCHCW expanded the brochure to include information about the other two health insurance products available to low income individuals and families - Medicaid and the Vermont Health Access Program (VHAP). This brochure is being distributed to direct care workers around the state.
In addition, PHI’s Northern New England Policy Director, Alex Olins, organized outreach activities at the fall events to “launch” the Vermont Direct Care Worker Registry in partnership with the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living and the Vermont Campaign for Health Care Security. These events were held around the state and designed to encourage direct care workers to sign up for the Registry. Similar outreach activities about health insurance took place at VAPCP’s annual meeting in November.
In 2009, HCHCW VT will continue outreach efforts to direct-care workers and work with state policymakers to improve mechanisms to enable tracking of enrollment. HCHCW VT will also continue to work with AARP, and the Vermont Campaign for Health Security Education Fund to protect the health care programs from anticipated budget cuts.
Recent Comments