CSU Project Aims To Boost Young Adult Exchange Enrollment

California State University has launched a program targeted at helping young adults obtain health coverage through Covered California, as enrollment among such individuals has lagged statewide, Kaiser Health News/San Jose Mercury News reports (de Marco/Hernandez, Kaiser Health News/San Jose Mercury News, 3/26).

Background on Young Adult Enrollment

Adults between the ages of 18 and 34 make up about 36% of those eligible for subsidies through the exchange, but just 27% have signed up for coverage.

In addition, about 35% of new Medi-Cal beneficiaries are in that age group (California Healthline, 3/17). Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program.

A poll released last month of CSU students on three campuses found that about 30% of the students did not have insurance, while 13% had insurance within the individual market (Gorn, "Capitol Desk," California Healthline, 2/4).

According to the poll, 80% of students cited cost as a hindrance to purchasing coverage. However, the poll found that 70% to 75% of young students would qualify for federal subsidies or Medi-Cal.

According to KHN/Mercury News, many students are unaware that they qualify for financial assistance.

Details of CSU Program

In an effort to boost exchange enrollment among young adults, CSU has launched the Health Insurance Education Project.

The project is funded by a $1.25 million grant from Covered California (Kaiser Health News/San Jose Mercury News, 3/26).

The program's website offers resources for CSU students and staff, including:

• A webinar in English and Spanish about insurance options; and
• Links to the Covered California site.

The program also has representatives on 15 CSU campuses across the state (CSU Health Insurance Education Project website, 3/14).