Napa Valley Residents Meet With Providers At Affordable Care Act Event In Calistoga

UpValley residents had a chance Tuesday to find out what steps to take to sign up for health insurance under the new Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Tuesday's event at Calistoga Community Center was the last of three sessions run by Napa County's agency, HealthCareNapa.org.

Another public information event on the Affordable Care Act -- this one run by Congressman Mike Thompson -- will be next Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at McPherson Elementary School, Multi-Use Room, 2670 Yajome St., Napa.

Akon Walker was one of several Napa County Health and Human Services staff members on hand Tuesday to answer questions from residents.

She said she and other county staff are ready and available to help people find out if they are qualified and then take steps to enroll for low-cost health insurance.

Here are some of the information highlights from Tuesday's session:

MEDI-CAL

Starting in January, more people will be able to qualify for Medi-Cal, which is the California version of Medicaid -- or health insurance for people with limited income. Previously, only people with disabilities or children could get Medi-Cal.

Now, with the Affordable Care Act, at least 800 childless Napa County adults with limited income will be able to qualify, according to Walker.

To find out if you qualify for Medi-Cal, contact one of the following:

--Napa County Health & Human Services Agency (www.countyofnapa.org)
or 707-253-4511
--Children's Health Initiative, Napa County (www.napachi.org) or 707-227-0830
--Community Health Clinic Ole (www.clinicole.org) or 707-254-1774.

COVERED CALIFORNIA

Covered California is the main portal for the Affordable Care Act in Napa County. Visit  www.coveredca.com or call 888-975-1142 to see if you or your family qualify for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

If you would rather contact a local agency instead of Covered California, the agencies listed above under Medi-Cal can also help with Covered California.

They are: Napa County Health and Human Services Agency; Children's Health Initiative, Napa County; and Community Health Clinic Ole.

See the section above under Medi-Cal for their contact information.

HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE

Multiple insurance providers are participating in a health insurance marketplace under Covered California.

Once you have determined that you are qualified for the Affordable Care Act insurance, you can shop at CoveredCa.com for the most affordable insurance plan that fits you or your family best.

Some of the local providers -- but not all -- had representatives at Tuesday's session.

Among those were:
--St. Helena Hospital (Adventist Health)
--Family Service of Napa Valley
--Queen of the Valley Medical Center (St. Joseph's Health)
--Blue Cross/Blue Shield
--Kaiser Permanente
--Clinic Ole

See the Covered California website for information on shopping at the insurance marketplace.