Faith-Based Partners

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services works to build bridges between the federal government and faith-based organizations to better serve individuals and families in need of information about health insurance, health care, prevention and wellness.

Medicare

• The open enrollment time for Medicare is October 15 to December 7. Seniors are encouraged to look at their Medicare plan and see if it is the best plan that meets their needs.
• The Medicare program is for people age 65 and older, under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people at any age with end-stage renal disease.
• For Medicare 101 presentations and other training on Medicare, visit the CMS National Training Program website: https://cmsnationaltrainingprogram.cms.gov/.
• State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) help consumers with local, personalized counseling and assistance for people with Medicare and their families. To find the SHIP near you, click here: https://www.medicare.gov/contacts/.
• More information about Medicare can be found at www.Medicare.gov.

Medicaid

• The open enrollment period for Medicaid is all year round. 
• The Medicaid program is for people with low incomes. Medicaid is a joint federal and state government program that helps with medical costs for people with limited income and resources.
• To enroll in Medicaid, go to www.HealthCare.gov or visit your state Medicaid agency. Each state has different rules about eligibility and applying for Medicaid. For more information on how to enroll in Medicaid, click here: https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/getting-medicaid-chip/
• Some people are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. They are called Dually Eligible. Medicaid may also cover services not normally covered by Medicare (like long term supports and services and personal care services).
• For more information on the difference between Medicare and Medicaid, see our fact sheet: https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11306-Medicare-Medicaid.pdf .

Health Insurance Marketplace

• Open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace begins on November 1 and ends December 15.
• The Marketplace helps uninsured people find health coverage. When you fill out the Marketplace application, we’ll tell you if you qualify for Private insurance plans or Medicaid or CHIP. You might qualify for lower costs based on your household size and income. If you don’t qualify for lower costs, you can still use the Marketplace to buy insurance. Plans cover essential health benefits, pre-existing conditions, and preventive care. 
• To enroll and for more information, go to www.HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. TTY users can call 1-855-889-4325. Customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• You can also click on Find Local Help to see a list of Navigators and Assisters who can help you enroll in your community.
• Outreach and education materials on the Marketplace can be found at Marketplace.cms.gov.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) 

• The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is open for enrollment year round.
• CHIP covers kids and teens with limited incomes, disabilities, and other circumstances.
• To enroll, visit www.HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. TTY users can call 1-855-889-4325. Customer service representatives are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669).
• For more information on CHIP, go to www.InsureKidsNow.gov.

Find A Health Center

Nearly 30 million people, 1 in 11 in the United States, rely on a government-funded health center for medical, dental, mental health, substance use disorder, and patient support services.  Federally Qualified Health Centers provide services regardless of patients’ ability to pay and charge for services on a sliding fee scale.  For more information see https://bphc.hrsa.gov/about/index.html.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, also known as the HHS Partnership Center, website is here. They have recordings of their webinars posted here.

Federal government agencies provide lots of information for faith and other community-based organizations. Below are links for more information:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) information for faith-based and community organizations

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives

The U.S. Department of Education Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives

The U.S. Department of Labor Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships

Faith-based Toolkits:

COVID-19 Toolkit for Faith-based and Community Organizations

Compassion in Action: A Guide for Faith Communities Serving People Experiencing Mental Illness and Their Caregivers

Opioid Epidemic Practical Toolkit: Helping Faith and Community Leaders Bring Hope and Healing to Our Communities

Human Trafficking Faith-based and Community Toolkit

We look forward to partnering with you on health and wellness issues! Stay in touch with us by signing up to receive our e-newsletter by emailing Partnership@cms.hhs.gov.