Families in Need of Health Benefits Encouraged to go to St. Francis' Open House

Parents looking for programs to keep their families healthy and nourished can go to St. Francis Medical Center's open house, Friday, where they can get connected with one of over six social services and community programs. 

Families can learn more about Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, CalFresh and more, as well as receive referrals to some other types of services or programs they may be able to qualify for. 

The open house will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Health Benefits Resource Center. 

Ana Solis, the center's manager, said benefits enrollement specialists do an assesment based on the family size and income, and assess all the programs families may be eligible for.

For example, the Access for Infants and Mothers (AIMS) program is offered to women and covers the pregnancy and delivery of her child. The woman must be in the program before she is 32 weeks along in her pregnancy.

Another program that is especially time-sensitive is Kaiser Permanente's Child Health Plan. 

"It's a comprehensive health coverage at a low monthly cost for children who are not eligible Medi-Cal or Healthy Families," said Solis. 

Children ages 0-19 are eligible for the plan and would pay monthly premiums at $8 or $15 depending on the family's income. 

According to Kaiser Permanente's website, monthly premiums would be charged to up to three children and any additional child is covered at no extra premium. The plan does include copayments and would cover health and dental plans, including eyeglass allowance. 

According to Solis, the program is open for a limited amount of time every year, with last year only being open one month.

"We are trying to promote this so that people take advantage because we dont know when it is going to be open again," said Solis. 

Though registration for this program is open few times a year, the terms for the plan extend for up to two years, and then must be renewed. 

Aside from the individual requirements asked by each agency, families must also be Los Angeles County residents, but Solis said each county has their own agencies to help their communities as well. 

 "We work in partnership with these agencies because it's really supporting the whole mission that families have access to heatlh care," said Linda Woo, Community Affairs Specialist for St. Francis. 

For more information about the open house, contact the center at (800) 603-9355 or (310) 900-7380. The center is located on the first floor of St. Francis in suite 104.

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