CMS initiative helps people make the most of their new health coverage
“From Coverage to Care” outreach to engage doctors and new patients
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a national initiative “From Coverage to Care” (C2C), which is designed to help answer questions that people may have about their new health coverage, to help them make the most of their new benefits, including taking full advantage of primary care and preventive services. It also seeks to give health care providers the tools they need to promote patient engagement.
“Helping to ensure that new health care consumers know about the benefits available through their coverage, and how to use it appropriately to obtain primary care and preventive services is essential to improving the health of the nation and reducing health care costs,” said Dr. Cara V. James, director of the CMS Office of Minority Health. Dr. James noted that, “to achieve these goals, we need to make sure that people who are newly covered know that their coverage can help them stay healthy, not just help them get better if they get sick.”
C2C will be an ongoing project. As more and more people obtain coverage, there will be a continuous need to ensure that people have answers to questions they might have about their new coverage and are appropriately connected to the health care system to help them live long, healthy lives.
Today’s launch also marks the release of the new Roadmap to Better Care and a Healthier You, http://marketplace.cms.gov/help-us/c2c-roadmap.pdf?linkId=8267630, which includes 8 steps to help consumers and health care providers be informed about the diverse benefits available through their coverage and how to use it appropriately to access to primary care and preventive services. Among other things, the “Roadmap” contains information on health care coverage terms, the differences between primary care and emergency care, and the cost differences of decisions to seek care in- and out-of-network, where applicable to the consumer’s health plan.
More information about C2C and other helpful resources, including a 10-part video series, to help those with new health care coverage make the most of their coverage, and raise awareness about the importance of getting routine primary care and regular preventive care are available at: http://marketplace.cms.gov/c2c. People with related questions about the C2C initiative should write to Coveragetocare@cms.hhs.gov
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