Best Practices for Health Insurance Marketplace Outreach and Enrollment in Rural Areas
The Affordable Care Act provided coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace to nearly seven million people during the first open enrollment period. Yet, research suggests that the enrollment rates for eligible individuals living in rural areas was less than enrollment rates for those living in urban areas. That may be due, in part, to specific challenges in rural communities, including lack of internet access, low population density, travel barriers to obtaining help, or strong political opposition to “Obamacare.”
Among rural communities, there was considerable variation in the enrollment rate. Key informant interviews were conducted of navigators, health centers, Certified Application Counselors, and other partner organizations to try to identify best practices for marketing, outreach and education, in-reach (identifying eligible current clients), and enrollment in rural communities. The fact sheet highlights some of the best practices identified through these interviews.
Contact Information:
Pam Silberman, JD, DrPH
North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
Phone: 919-966-4525
pam_silberman@unc.edu
Additional Resources of Interest:
- Successful Health Insurance Outreach, Education, and Enrollment Strategies for Rural Hospitals
- More information about the North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center
- More information from the Rural Assistance Center, Health Insurance Outreach and Enrollment topic guide
