Valley health leaders coordinate Covered California assistance

A coordinated effort is underway in the Coachella Valley to encourage people to take advantage of low-cost health coverage offered by the Covered California exchange.

Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio and the Desert Healthcare Foundation are teaming up to educate people about the health care options available.

A total of $1.2 million generated from the California endowment and the Desert Healthcare Foundation is being used to hire 25 certified health care counselors. They will canvass the Valley helping people sign up for affordable health insurance.

“They’re actually going to be going out in neighborhoods, working community events, meeting people wherever they need to for appointments to actually assist them, guide them and getting them enrolled successfully,” said Desert Healthcare Foundation CEO Kathy Greco.

Besides the hospitals involved, dispersal of the health care counselors will be coordinated between a half dozen community organizations.

It’s estimated, 90,000 Valley residents qualify for low-cost health coverage.

The Covered California open enrollment period ends March 31.