Ten Ways Your Legal Aid Program Can Connect _
Clients To New Health Insurance Opportunities —

As millions of Americans become eligible for new, affordable health insurance options in 2014,
Legal Aid programs can play a vital role in making sure people learn how to get coverage and get
help applying. Many Legal Aid programs have experience helping eligible low-income families and
individuals apply for Medicaid, and providing this kind of help will be extremely important, given
new coverage opportunities.

Now, many more Legal Aid clients - including parents, older children, and adults under age 65 —
may qualify for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or coverage through the
new Health Insurance Marketplace. Many people who do not have health insurance will be able to
get it, and many may also qualify for help that makes coverage easier to afford. Open enrollment
for coverage in the new Health Insurance Marketplace begins October 1, 2013, but as always,
individuals may apply for Medicaid or CHIP at any time.

Here’s how Legal Aid programs can contribute to the outreach and enrollment effort:
Spread the Word

14. Include health coverage messages when talking with clients about legal issues. Discuss, as
appropriate the availability of health insurance whenever Legal Aid staff conducts intake or is
focusing attention on a medical/legal issue — such as addressing a denial of Medicaid benefits,
bankruptcy arising from medical bills, children’s health issues, or housing code violations
affecting clients’ health. Children may already be enrolled in Medicaid, but parents and other
family members may not realize that they now may qualify, depending on a state's decision to
expand eligibility under the Affordable Care Act.

2. Build on the Legal Aid intake process. Add questions about health insurance coverage and

eligibility to intake protocols in appropriate circumstances, along with information about the
value of getting coverage.

3. Legal Aid programs can keep local community partners informed about health insurance
opportunities. Legal Aid programs can help share news about new health coverage
opportunities and how to enroll with their extensive network of community partners. Legal Aid
staff are expert at explaining government programs and requirements in plain English, making
complicated laws accessible in linguistically and culturally appropriate ways.

4. Work with businesses and community-based organizations that operate in communities
where eligible individuals reside. Beyond traditional Legal Aid networks, engage businesses
and community organizations, such as food banks, community centers, grocery stores that
accept SNAP benefits and WIC vouchers, and businesses near Section 8 Housing. Consider
providing information about health coverage eligibility and application assistance through
community meetings and by disseminating informational flyers at local businesses.

5. Offer information about health insurance opportunities in Legal Aid offices and on
websites. Display consumer materials from HealthCare.gov explaining the basics of
Medicaid, CHIP and coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Include eligibility
and enrollment information in Legal Aid program newsletters and other take-home self-help
materials. Post the HealthCare.gov widget on your website.



Help Legal Aid Clients Apply for Health Coverage

6. Educate Legal Aid staff to be prepared to offer clients information about enrollment.
Work with state agencies such as the Medicaid agency and the Health Insurance Marketplace
to get current, reliable information for clients on health coverage eligibility and application
assistance. Briefings on the Marketplace are offered via webinar on a regular basis; more
information can be found here: Marketplace.cms.gov/training/get-training.html. Legal Aid
offices can also educate intake and other staff members, so that clients can get information
at Legal Aid offices, and can get help when it's time to renew. Legal Aid programs are well-
positioned to make sure individuals can get the coverage they need, and that the system is
working properly to keep them enrolled.

7. Partner with community health centers and other organizations that help people apply.
Connect clients with community health centers and health departments that offer application
as well as other kinds of health insurance-related assistance.

8. Consider bringing application assistance on site. To maximize capacity, consider expanding
your community partnerships by arranging for trained helpers to provide application help at
Legal Aid offices. Perhaps your program can make a computer station available, or provide
assistance through a call-in system. All states will have online applications, and people wil!
also be able to apply by phone, by mail or in person. Legal Aid offices can also apply to be
designated as Certified Application Counselor organizations and get their staff or volunteers
trained to assist clients with the Marketplace application, determine their eligibility, and enroll in
coverage. More information is available here: Marketplace.cms.gov/help-us/cac-apply.html.

Promote Promising Practices

9. Provide technical assistance to your state Medicaid agency regarding ways they can
implement strategies to simplify and streamline enrollment and renewal in 2014. States
have several options they can use to help facilitate enrollment and renewal in Medicaid and
CHIP in 2014. (These options are explained in guidance that was issued to state health officials
on May 17, 2013: Medicaid.gov/Federal-Policy-Guidance/Downloads/SHO-1 3-003. pdf).

For example, states can use information from the SNAP program to facilitate enrollment in
Medicaid, or they can use information already on hand from children’s Medicaid files to help
enroll eligible parents. Legal Aid statf can help outline these opportunities and can provide
appropriate assistance to eligible families and individuals in states that adopt special practices.

10. Share successful ideas among Legal Aid programs throughout the state. Collect strategies
Legal Aid programs are using to inform clients about health insurance and to help get - and
keep — them enrolled. Present in statewide training sessions and through other channels
that reach Legal Aid agencies in other states. Include successful approaches in Legal Aid
handbooks and consider making them standard operating procedure.

For More Information:

Visit HealthCare.gov or CuidadoDeSalud.gov for more information, or call the Health Insurance
Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. TTY users should call 1-855-889-4325. Visit
Marketplace.cms.gov for Marketplace widgets and badges and other partner materials.