CoverageForAll.org Launches Spanish-Language Edition With 50-State Online Directory of Public & Private Health Coverage Programs

SAN JOSE, CA–(Marketwire – September 27, 2010) –  Efforts to educate uninsured Americans who are unaware of current government-funded and low-cost health insurance programs have been given a boost with the Foundation for Health Coverage Education’s (FHCE) launch today of a Spanish language edition of its pioneering website, www.CoverageForAll.org. 

The nonprofit was able to translate CoverageForAll.org and expand its outreach to the Hispanic community with the support of a $30,000 grant from the Aetna Foundation, the independent philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. The Spanish version, http://espanol.coverageforall.org will provide Spanish-speaking visitors with the same content found in FHCE’s main public and private health coverage state-by-state directory of programs, which has been educating uninsured Americans about their coverage options since 2004.

“At a time when health care reform legislation is requiring people to have health insurance coverage, we need to move with even greater urgency to break down barriers, such as language, to information about government-funded or low-cost programs,” said Anne C. Beal, M.D., M.P.H., president of the Aetna Foundation. “We are heartened that the new Spanish-language version of CoverageForAll.org will enable a significant segment of the American population to have affordable access to our health care system. Establishing a level playing field for all racial and ethnic groups to obtain good health care is a priority program area for the Aetna Foundation.” 

With this new enhancement, CoverageForAll.org visitors can simply click on http://espanol.coverageforall.org and learn their health insurance options in Spanish through FHCE’s 5-question Eligibility Quiz or they can call the 24/7 multilingual U.S. Uninsured Help Line (1-800-234-1317) to talk with a Spanish-speaking health insurance specialist who will review the questions with them. This eligibility review is a starting point for the Fresno, California-based call center’s counselors who guide each caller through their options and direct them to the appropriate state-sponsored programs. Along with taking the Eligibility Quiz, visitors now also have the ability to learn about COBRA coverage via the Spanish-version of FHCE’s COBRA Booklet or may download FHCE’s Health Care Options Matrix, the consumer-friendly guide to all of the health coverage programs in their state.

The goal of FHCE for translating the site was to broaden its mission of lowering the ranks of the uninsured, specifically by targeting what the U.S. Census Bureau indicates is the 32% of Hispanic Americans who live without health coverage. The Aetna Foundation’s grant opened up an even larger opportunity to assist the FHCE’s current collaborative partners, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the American Diabetes Association, and California’s Employee Development Department and Department of Insurance in aiding their Hispanic populations.

“The FHCE has helped more than two million people find heath coverage through CoverageForAll.org and our U.S. Uninsured Help Line,” said Ankeny Minoux, President of the FHCE. “With funding from the Aetna Foundation for a Spanish version of CoverageForAll.org, we can continue to provide uninsured Americans an easy and efficient way to access information about their health coverage options in their native language.”

About the Aetna Foundation
The Aetna Foundation is the independent charitable and philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc. Since 1980, Aetna and the Aetna Foundation have contributed over $379 million in grants and sponsorships, including more than $20 million in 2009. As a national health foundation, we promote wellness, health, and access to high-quality health care for everyone. This work is enhanced by the time and commitment of Aetna employees, who have volunteered nearly two million hours since 2003. Our current giving is focused on addressing the rising rate of adult and childhood obesity in the U.S.; promoting racial and ethnic equity in health and health care; and advancing integrated health care. For more information, visit www.AetnaFoundation.org.

About the Foundation for Health Coverage Education:

The Foundation for Health Coverage Education (FHCE) is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization with a mission to help simplify public and private health insurance eligibility information in order for more people to access coverage. In addition to its U.S. Uninsured Help Line (800) 234-1317 and website www.CoverageForAll.org, FHCE offers free consumer guides, such as the Health Care Options Matrix™ that is available for all 50 states.

Click here to see all recent news from this company