Online Program

295617
Affordable care act: An overview of cms' consumer outreach and education efforts


Monday, November 4, 2013 : 10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Cara James, PhD, Office of Minority Health, Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has a major lead in implementation of the Affordable Care Act, particularly for consumer outreach and education on various topics related to better health and program benefits, such as preventive screenings and services for people with Medicare. Additionally, CMS has responsibility for outlining standards for Navigators and for certified application counselors, including training, qualifications, and requirements to ensure that they provide quality, sound, consumer-protective assistance. This presentation will provide an overview of CMS' initiatives for the open enrollment process, which begins October 1, 2013, with coverage to begin January 1, 2014 and introduce various resources relevant to health education professionals. Initiatives that increase access to quality healthcare for minorities and reduce racial inequities related to targeted health outcomes also will be highlighted.

Learning Areas:

Communication and informatics
Diversity and culture
Public health or related education
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines

Learning Objectives:
Discuss CMS' framework, resources & timeline for implementing ACA regulations related to the open enrollment process for the uninsured, including navigator certification.

Keyword(s): Access to Health Care, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Cara V. James is the Director of the Office of Minority Health at CMS. Prior to this appointment, Dr. James was the Director of the Disparities Policy Project and the Director of the Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, where she was responsible for addressing a broad array of health and access to care issues for racial and ethnic minorities and other underserved populations
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.