OHI to Hold Events March 29 as the Closing of Open Enrollment Nears
If you are waiting for the last minute – it’s almost here. Monday, March 31, 2014, is the last day to enroll for health insurance. On Saturday, March 29, 2014, certified navigators in the Health Insurance Marketplace of OHI, a federally qualified health care center, will be available to assist the public by appointment only from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 101 Second Street, Lakewood, N.J.
Besides registering for health insurance, OHI is offering a number of health-related activities throughout the day, such as free health screenings, including blood pressure checks, glucose screenings, and diabetic education. Representatives from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), a government assistance program to help low-income households pay for food, will be available to offer assistance.
OHI is also sponsoring a food drive to collect canned goods and nonperishable items for a local food bank or Catholic Charities. Children can enjoy face-painting, taking pictures with a cartoon character, and animal balloons. Free light refreshments (granola bars, fruit, donuts, water and soda) will be available.
Beatriz C. Patino, the coordinator of the Health Exchange Marketplace Department, is hoping to enroll at least 500 people by the end of the month. For more information, contact Patino at 732-363-6655 Ext. 8363. OHI will still be enrolling people on Monday, March 31, the very last day to register.
About Ocean Health Initiatives
OHI is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) federally qualified health center (FQHC) with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; 333 Haywood Road, Manahawkin; Clifton Avenue Elementary School, 625 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood; and the Mobile Medical Unit outside the George J. Mitchell Elementary School, 950 N. Green Street, Little Egg Harbor.
OHI provides comprehensive preventative and primary health and dental care to Ocean County uninsured and underinsured populations on a sliding-fee scale, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. Services include pediatrics, maternal and child health, prenatal, WIC, universal immunizations, behavioral health, dental, family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYN, podiatry and social services.
OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call a representative in the Call Center at either 732-552-0377, Toms River, or 732-363-6655, Lakewood. Visit www.ohinj.org. for further information.