American College of Physicians members recognized as trusted sources of information for getting coverage through health insurance marketplaces
September 9, 2013
(Washington) - A resource center featuring a series of documents to address questions about the changes in healthcare coverage by new marketplaces that will be available in each state starting Oct. 1 was unveiled today by the American College of Physicians (ACP). ACP's resource center, "Help Your Patients Enroll in Health Insurance Marketplaces," is deemed critical because recent public opinion polls show that doctors are especially trusted sources of information for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
"This is another action ACP has taken to remain the trusted source for internists and their patients on the changes in healthcare," Molly Cooke, MD, FACP, president of ACP, told her organization's 137,000 members. "Although ACP members have a broad range of opinions about the ACA, each of us must be prepared to help our patients understand and enroll in the available coverage options and premium subsidies created by the ACA, no matter where we may personally stand on the law itself."
The resource center highlights general information available to internists and their patients, and answers to frequently-asked-questions about insurance enrollment. In addition, ACP has assembled state-specific resources for internists and patients including patient enrollment guides that explain to patients how they can get help in signing up for coverage through their state's marketplace.
"I especially urge internists to reach out to their uninsured patients and offer their help in getting health insurance through the state marketplaces, or Medicaid if available to them in their states, using the resources available from ACP," Dr. Cooke emphasized. "Studies by the Institute of Medicine and others show that being without health insurance is associated with preventable mortality and unnecessary suffering, so helping uninsured patient take advantage of the new coverage options can literally be a matter of life and death for some patients."
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The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States. ACP members include 137,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on Twitter and Facebook.
Contact:
David Kinsman, (202) 261-4554
dkinsman@acponline.org
Jacquelyn Blaser, (202) 261-4572
jblaser@acponline.org