CVS, Ralphs To Push Exchange Plans as Enrollment Deadline Nears
On Friday, Covered California officials announced that a deal has been reached with CVS Caremark and Ralphs grocery chain to promote the health insurance exchange through the end of open enrollment at no cost to the state, the Los Angeles Times' "Money & Co." reports.
Details of Promotional Efforts
According to "Money & Co.," 120 CVS stores will set up information displays about the exchange at store entrances. The stores are in regions of the state with the highest number of uninsured residents who are eligible for federal subsidies.
In addition, 88 Ralphs stores will:
- Display brochures with information about the exchange;
- Play in-store announcements about health coverage; and
- Include health coverage information on receipts.
Covered California spokesperson Larry Hicks said the partnerships are "better late than never."
He added, "There will be thousands of people viewing these displays, and that may be the tipping point for inspiring them to enroll for health insurance in the closing days" of open enrollment, which ends March 31 (Terhune, "Money & Co.," Los Angeles Times, 3/21).
Sacramento Kings Players Tout Exchange
In related news, two Sacramento Kings basketball players last week helped promote Covered California at two Kaiser Permanente retail shops in Florin and Natomas, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.
Kaiser's retail stores, known as ShopKP, provide information about all health plans available on the exchange and offer daily seminars on health insurance (Robertson, Sacramento Business Journal, 3/21).
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