Ozarks Community Hospital certified as CAC organization

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

GRAVETTE — Ozarks Community Hospital of Gravette is now a certified application counselor organization as designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the state of Arkansas.

OCH case manager, Amanda Gittlein, recently received designation by the state and federal training programs and is available to help enroll patients as a certified application counselor.

The hospital and certified employees can now help community members apply for coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Previous to this, OCH of Gravette was waiting to hear back from CMS for organization approval after applying in August. Once approved, OCH employees had to go through a state training and certification process. During the wait, OCH served as a resource, providing education, information and awareness about the Marketplace to community members.

"Many individuals in the Gravette area and surrounding communities do not currently have insurance," said Gittlein. "My job is to provide answers to those individuals about whether or not they qualify and assist them in becoming insured."

If individuals wish to be covered by Jan. 1, 2014, they must enroll by Dec. 23. Individuals still have until March 31, 2014, to enroll in the Marketplace without worry of paying a penalty or individual shared responsibility payment. To make an appointment with Amanda, call 344-6565 or email [email protected]. Amanda is available at the OCH of Gravette Clinic Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

General News on 12/11/2013