Independence Blue Cross Director of Member Marketing Erin Thurston and Hispanic Media President and CEO Ricardo Hurtado at the 2018 Latina Summit in Philadelphia
Independence Blue Cross sponsored the Hispanic Media Latina Summit last week at Esperanza College in Philadelphia. The event, which was attended by more than 150 women, focused on health and well-being in the Hispanic community. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Latinos continue to have the highest uninsured rate of any racial or ethnic group in the United States.
Erin Thurston, Independence director of Member Marketing, opened the summit with remarks about the importance of having access to preventative care to stay healthy. She also gave tips on how to shop for insurance, encouraging everyone to look at more than monthly premiums. She suggested the audience consider things like deductible, the amount you will pay before your insurance benefits kick-in; co-insurance, the percentage of the cost you will pay each time you receive care; and co-pay, a flat fee each time you receive health care services. Erin also talked about looking at a plan’s network to be sure your doctors and hospitals are covered.
Throughout the event, Spanish-speaking licensed agents from Independence were available to answer questions about signing up for an individual health insurance plan. Open Enrollment for individuals and family health plans runs from November 1, 2018, through December 15, 2018. Consumers looking for health insurance in 2019 must enroll by the December 15, 2018, deadline.