NEW: Rhode Island’s First Health Benefits Exchange Launches
Monday, July 15, 2013
The Rhode Island Health Benefits Exchange today announced a number of important updates and initiatives – including a new name and the creation of 70-100 new jobs – as the Exchange prepares to enroll Rhode Islanders in quality affordable health insurance plans beginning on October 1, 2013.
HealthSource RI
HealthSource RI, the state's new state of the art contact center, will be located at 70 Royal Little Drive in Providence and will employ 70-100 Rhode Islanders when fully operational. The contact center, to be managed by Connextions, will allow Rhode Island individuals and small employers (those with fewer than 50 employees) to talk in-person or over the phone with engagement specialists who will provide personalized assistance in finding, comparing, and purchasing health insurance options available through HealthSource RI. The contact center will also feature convenient extended hours to accommodate Rhode Islanders’ busy schedules. In addition, a contingent of HealthSource RI staff will be located at the facility to ensure coordination between contact center staff and HealthSource RI.
"HealthSource RI's contact center will be a tremendous resource for Rhode Islanders looking to understand the health insurance options available through the exchange, and whether they qualify for tax credits to make their care more affordable," said Governor Chafee. "Having assistance, either in-person or over the phone, is exactly the kind of personalized service Rhode Islanders deserve when making such an important choice about their healthcare. I'm also thrilled that while we are improving our healthcare system and making insurance available to more Rhode Islanders, we are also creating a number of high quality jobs for Rhode Island residents."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“We are honored to have the opportunity to help Rhode Islanders navigate their health insurance options and make the best choices for themselves and their families,” said Steve Auerbach, president of Connextions.
Rhode Island residents interested in learning more about contact center job opportunities can visit http://jobs.connextions.com.
State-wide Community Outreach Tour
HealthSource RI also announced the kickoff of a state-wide community outreach tour that will feature educational presentations to businesses, community groups, and healthcare consumers in all 39 Rhode Island cities and towns prior to the start of open enrollment on October 1, 2013. HealthSource RI, in partnership with local business and community organizations, will deliver presentations that will review what the exchange is, available plan options, tax credit eligibility, and consumer assistance options.
“We understand that Rhode Island small employers and individuals have many questions about what HealthSource RI is and how we can help them find quality health insurance options that fit their budget,” said Christine Ferguson, Director of HealthSource RI. “That’s why we are committed to getting out into every city and town in the state to educate Rhode Islanders and to answer their questions. We will continue these presentations throughout Rhode Island over the next 12 months.”
The first community outreach tour event will be held at Heritage Restoration in Providence on Wednesday, July 17th and include introductory remarks from Governor Lincoln Chafee and a presentation led by HealthSource RI Director Christine Ferguson. Additional community outreach tour events scheduled to date include:
July 18 Small employers’ event - North Central Chamber of Commerce, Johnston July 18 Community event - Bayside YMCA, Barrington
July 24 Community event - Cranston YMCA, Cranston
July 24 Small employers’ event - Woonsocket
July 24 Small employers’ event - Providence
July 15 Community event - South County YMCA, Wakefield
July 30 Small employers’ event - Bristol
July 31 Small employers’ event - Westerly
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