Author: Kailee Curtis

Local Health Department

Access to Healthcare Outreach and Enrollment

Access to health care impacts one's overall physical, social, and mental health status and quality of life, but getting access to health care can be challenging, especially for people who have low or moderate incomes. Health care coverage can be expensive, and navigating the Health Insurance Marketplace or Medicaid can be confusing. Local health department staff understand the unique challenges that come with enrolling in health care, and are available to help individuals enroll in a health plan that is right for them.

Key Positions
Health Educators
Public Health Nurse
Clerical Staff

In 2015, more than1 in 10 adults in Michigan had no form of health care coverage.

Meets Public Health Standards:

ü	Michigan Public Health Code
	Michigan Local Public Health Accreditation
ü	Public Health Accreditation Board

Services:
Local health department health educators and clinical staff help to connect people with tools and information on different health insurance options. This includes helping people apply for Medicaid, the Healthy Michigan Plan, MIChild, or another affordable health insurance program. Local health department staff can also help people navigate the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Additionally, at some local health departments, staff conduct outreach at health fairs and other events to increase knowledge and awareness of health care coverage and assistance.
Goals:
Local health department outreach and enrollment activities aim to:
Help persons in the community gain access to appropriate and affordable health insurance
Promote the use of preventative health care to prevent disease
Prevent financial crises in persons due to unexpected medical emergencies

Created by the Barry-Eaton District Health Department for the Michigan Association of Local Public Health with funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. August 2018.
*38 of Michigan’s local health departments indicated that they participate in outreach and enrollment activities (of 41 who participated in the survey). Participants might not have answered each question.

Impact:
Uninsured people receive less medical care and less timely care, they have worse health outcomes, and lack of insurance is a financial burden for them and their families. Having access to health insurance helps people overcome barriers when visiting the doctor for routine health check-ups, and can help them in the event of a major health emergency.