UNITED SIKHS Helping AA and NHPI Communities during Open Enrollment

November 14, 2014
New York/New Jersey – Starting Nov. 15, millions of Americans will once again be able to shop for, compare and enroll in new health insurance options in the Health Insurance Marketplace
Individuals and families all over the country can shop for, compare and enroll in coverage that is affordable and meets their needs. Consumers can enroll in a new plan, renew their current plan or shop for a new one from Nov. 15 – Feb. 15, 2015. If you live in New York (NY) State, visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov and if you live in New Jersey (NJ), visit www.healthcare.gov to enroll. Depending on your income, financial assistance is available to help you afford coverage.
Enrollment is open to U.S. citizens and lawfully present persons. Even if you are not eligible for coverage, you can still apply on behalf of other family members. Immigrants are encouraged to apply and their immigration information will only be used to verify eligibility.
UNITED SIKHS is providing assistance to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AAs and NHPIs) looking for coverage in New York and New Jersey. UNITED SIKHS is a part of Action for Health Justice (AHJ), a national coalition dedicated to ensuring AAs and NHPIs realize the benefits of the new health law. AHJ is the only national strategy group working to reach and enroll AAs and NHPIs though one-on-one assistance, in person, to those who need help navigating the enrollment process or require assistance in Asian and Pacific Islander languages. The work is crucial to reaching a community where one in three have difficulty, speaking, writing or reading English.
“Having access to health insurance means having access to services and resources that otherwise would not be available to community members because they are Limited English Proficient, or are not aware of the system enough to know what their rights are,” says Ranjit Singh, Operations Coordinator and NJ Navigator. “Along with local and national partners, we have been able to bring enrollment information and services in language, which fulfils a significant need in the community.
UNITED SIKHS will be providing in person assistance to community members in both states. Call us at 718-441-6644 for an appointment. Services are available in Punjabi, English, Hindi and Gujarati.
For more information about health reform and resources available in English and Asian and Pacific Islander languages, visit Action for Health Justice.
Visit www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov or www.healthcare.gov for more information about the Marketplace and how to enroll. If you are not already enrolled in a plan, you have until Feb. 15, 2015 to get covered.