By LUCINDA AMES BRIDGEPORT St. Vincents Health Partners (SVHP), Inc., congratulates Christina Cano, SVHPs Care Coordinator Associate and Maritza Santiago, In-Person Assister for St. Vincents Medical Center, for their outstanding achievement as designated Access Health CT Assisters. Both women were selected in September of 2013 to participate in the training and certification process to serve as In-Person Assisters for the Navigator and Assister Outreach Program (NIPA). The NIPA Program is the result of a unique partnership between Access Health CT, Connecticuts official health insurance marketplace, and the State of Connecticuts Office of the Healthcare Advocate (OHA). The ongoing mission of the NIPA Program is to improve health and end health disparities through engaging, educating and enrolling individuals and families in health care coverage.
As a Physician Hospital Organization, St. Vincents Health Partners was eager to participate in the Assister program as a way to help improve the health of area residents through encouraging access to a wider range of insurance options. The two women were selected for their role because of their knowledge of the insurance process and their commitment to the goals of both Access Health CT and SVHP.
As Assisters, Cano and Santiago were required to undergo background checks, 34 hours of training and pass a certification exam with a minimum score of 80 percent. During the October 1, 2013-March 31, 2014 Open Enrollment Period, Certified Assisters helped individuals and families make educated decisions about their health care coverage. They also provided consumers with support enrolling in a variety of health insurance coverage options including subsidized health insurance, Medicaid and HUSKY programs.
We are so pleased and proud to have been selected to participate in the Assister program, said Dr. Thomas Raskauskas, CEO. The hard work of Christina and Maritza, who we selected for this important work, exemplifies our deep-rooted relationships in the community. We are thrilled with their outstanding achievement in helping us reach those uninsured and underinsured individuals who need access to insurance but dont know where to start.
Cano and Santiago both worked extensively to achieve some of the highest numbers of the approximately 257 Assisters state-wide. Christina Cano worked 1,135 hours, engaged 1,682 and enrolled 477 Connecticut residents into the new healthcare program. Maritza Santiago worked 559 hours engaging 2,093 and enrolling 385. According to the latest data provided by the National Institute of Pension Administrators, Fairfield County had the greatest number of enrollments in the state of Connecticut.
For more information please visit www.accesshealthct.com/outreachprograms
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