Florida News Straight From the Source
On Monday, the now-former Epilepsy Foundation of Florida relaunched as Epilepsy Florida, a state-based organization dedicated to providing support, care, and service to Floridians with epilepsy, and their families, caregivers, and communities. [Read more…] about Epilepsy Florida Officially Launches
As the Trump Administration announced tonight that it would fund Obamacare enrollment assistance at $10 million this fall, Epilepsy Foundation of Florida CEO Karen Basha Egozi offered the following statement:
“We look forward to taking advantage of the federal funds that are available to help Floridians enroll in life-saving health coverage.” [Read more…] about Statement on Trump Administration Funding of Obamacare Enrollment Program
The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, the state’s second largest provider of free, in-person ACA enrollment assistance, has released a new radio PSA to promote Florida’s extended December 31 enrollment deadline.
Floridians have until December 31 to enroll in coverage through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, due to impacts from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced on September 28 a special enrollment period allowing Florida consumers extra time to enroll. More on the extension from NPR affiliate WUSF.
EFOF produced the 30-second PSA to promote both their free enrollment assistance and the extended enrollment deadline. The spot is currently running on more than 27 radio stations across the state, in the West Palm Beach, Miami, Naples, and Pensacola markets.
The PSA can be listened to and linked to here.
“While we’re seeing continued enthusiasm for this life-saving health coverage, there’s also persistent misinformation among consumers,” said Karen Basha Egozi, CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida. “With a 90 percent cut to ACA advertising this enrollment period, we had to get creative and think outside the box to ensure Floridians knew where to turn for help getting covered.”
After December 15, Florida consumers can shop for health plans with EFOF Navigators, who will connect them with the Health Insurance Marketplace to complete the enrollment process. Consumers can find locations and make an appointment by visiting EFOF.org/ACAnavigation or calling toll-free 1-877-553-7453.
EFOF has discussed ACA enrollment in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, and in statewide and local media. EFOF has educated and assisted more than 250,000 Floridians at thousands of events in 35 counties.
November 1 marked the start of the Affordable Care Act’s fifth health insurance open enrollment period, which runs through December 15. To assist Floridians with getting covered, the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (EFOF) will once again host enrollment sites throughout the state.
EFOF is Florida’s second largest provider of free in-person ACA enrollment assistance, and has been a federal Navigation grant recipient in every ACA open enrollment period. EFOF has discussed ACA enrollment in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press, and in statewide and local media. EFOF has educated and assisted more than 250,000 Floridians at thousands of events in 35 counties.
The below events this week are free and open to the public. Floridians can also call toll-free to schedule an appointment, at 1-877-553-7453.
BROWARD COUNTY
MONDAY November 13, 2017
8:30AM – 12:00PM and 12:30PM – 5:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Broward Office – 512 NE 3rd Avenue, 3rd Floor, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 (ENGLISH/SPANISH/CREOLE)
8:30AM – 1:30PM Plantation General Hospital, 401 NW 42nd Avenue, Plantation, FL (Main entrance (must sign-in please). Private office next to Administrative offices located on the right hallway). (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
TUESDAY November 14, 2017
8:30AM – 12:00PM and 12:30PM – 5:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Broward Office – 512 NE 3rd Avenue, 3rd Floor, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 (ENGLISH/SPANISH/CREOLE)
WEDNESDAY November 15, 2017
8:30AM – 12:00PM and 12:30PM – 5:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Broward Office – 512 NE 3rd Avenue, 3rd Floor, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 (ENGLISH/SPANISH/CREOLE)
8:30AM – 1:30PM Westside Regional Medical Center, 8201 West Broward Blvd., Suite 200, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
THURSDAY November 16, 2017
8:30AM – 12:00PM and 12:30PM – 5:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Broward Office – 512 NE 3rd Avenue, 3rd Floor, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 (ENGLISH/SPANISH/CREOLE)
8:30AM – 1:30PM University Hospital and Medical Center, 7201 North University Drive., Tamarac, FL 33321 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
FRIDAY November 17, 2017
8:30AM – 12:00PM and 12:30PM – 5:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Broward Office – 512 NE 3rd Avenue, 3rd Floor, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 (ENGLISH/SPANISH/CREOLE)
COLLIER COUNTY
MONDAY November 13, 2017
9:30AM- 4:00PM Collier County Public Library South Regional Branch, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples, FL 34113 (ENGLISH ONLY)
TUESDAY November 14, 2017
9:30AM – 4:00PM Greater Naples YMCA, 5450 YMCA Road, Naples, FL 34109 (ENGLISH ONLY)
WEDNESDAY November 15, 2017
9:30AM- 4:00PM Collier County Public Library South Regional Branch, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway, Naples, FL 34113 (ENGLISH ONLY)
THURSDAY November 16, 2017
9:30AM – 4:00PM Greater Naples YMCA, 5450 YMCA Road, Naples, FL 34109 (ENGLISH ONLY)
DUVAL COUNTY
MONDAY November 13, 2017
9:00AM -5:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Jacksonville Office, 5209 San Jose Blvd., Suite 101, Jacksonville, FL 32207 – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL 1-877-553-7453. (ENGLISH ONLY)
9:00AM – 4:30PM UF Health Jacksonville AKA Shands Hospital, Admissions and Financial Assistance, 2000 Boulevard Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206. (ENGLISH)
9:00AM – 2:00PM EMed Specialty Group, 2624 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207. (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
TUESDAY November 14, 2017
9:00AM -5:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Jacksonville Office, 5209 San Jose Blvd., Suite 101, Jacksonville, FL 32207 – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL 1-877-553-7453. (ENGLISH ONLY)
9:00AM – 4:30PM UF Health Jacksonville AKA Shands Hospital, Admissions and Financial Assistance, 2000 Boulevard Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206. (ENGLISH)
9:00AM – 2:00PM EMed Specialty Group, 2624 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207. (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
4:00PM – 8:00PM Orange Park Library, 2054 Plainfield Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073. (ENGLISH ONLY)
WEDNESDAY November 15, 2017
9:00AM -5:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Jacksonville Office, 5209 San Jose Blvd., Suite 101, Jacksonville, FL 32207 – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL 1-877-553-7453. (ENGLISH ONLY)
9:00AM – 4:30PM UF Health Jacksonville AKA Shands Hospital, Admissions and Financial Assistance, 2000 Boulevard Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206. (ENGLISH)
9:00AM – 2:00PM EMed Specialty Group, 2624 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207. (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
6:30PM – 9:00PM Iglesia Adventista la Esperanza, 2014 Kenneth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
THURSDAY November 16, 2017
9:00AM -5:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Jacksonville Office, 5209 San Jose Blvd., Suite 101, Jacksonville, FL 32207 – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL 1-877-553-7453. (ENGLISH ONLY)
9:00AM – 2:00PM UF Health Jacksonville AKA Shands Hospital, Admissions and Financial Assistance, 2000 Boulevard Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206. (ENGLISH)
9:00AM – 2:00PM EMed Specialty Group, 2624 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207. (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
FRIDAY November 17, 2017
9:00AM -5:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Jacksonville Office, 5209 San Jose Blvd., Suite 101, Jacksonville, FL 32207 – BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL 1-877-553-7453. (ENGLISH ONLY)
9:00AM – 2:00PM EMed Specialty Group, 2624 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207. (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
SATURDAY November 18, 2017
8:00AM – 11:00AM EMed Specialty Group, 2624 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
ESCAMBIA COUNTY (All Times CST)
MONDAY November 13, 2017
10:00AM – 3:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Pensacola Office, 2401 Executive Plaza Road, Suite 3A, Pensacola, FL 32504. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY – Call 1-877-553-7453. (ENGLISH ONLY)
12:00PM – 6:00PM Walton County Coastal Branch Library, 437 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. (ENGISH ONLY)
TUESDAY November 14, 2017
12:00PM – 6:00PM Niceville Public Library, 206 North Partin Drive, Niceville, FL 32578. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL 1877-553-7453. (ENGLISH ONLY)
10:00AM – 3:00PM Downtown Branch – West Florida Public Library, 239 N. Spring Street, Pensacola, FL 32502. (ENGLISH ONLY)
12:00PM – 6:00PM Fort Walton Beach Public Library, 185 Miracle Strip Parkway, SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548. (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
WEDNESDAY November 15, 2017
9:00AM – 2:00PM Freeport Public Library, 75 US Highway 20 West, Freeport, FL 32439. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL 1877-553-7453. (ENGLISH ONLY)
THURSDAY November 16, 2017
10:00AM – 2:00PM Robert F. Sikes – Crestview Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Tutor Room, Crestview, FL 32539. (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
FRIDAY November 17, 2017
10:00AM – 3:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Pensacola Office, 2401 Executive Plaza Road, Suite 3A, Pensacola, FL 32504. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY – Call 1-877-553-7453. (ENGLISH ONLY)
SATURDAY November 18, 2017
10:00AM – 4:00PM Downtown Branch – West Florida Public Library, 239 N. Spring Street, Pensacola, FL 32502. (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
MIAMI DADE COUNTY
MONDAY November 13, 2017
9:30AM – 4:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Miami Office, 7300 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 760, Miami, FL 33156 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
9:00AM – 5:00PM Branches – CFS North Lakeview, 11500 NW 12th Avenue, Miami, FL 33168 (ENGLISH/SPANISH/CREOLE)
2:00PM – 8:00PM Kendall Regional Medical Center, Admitting/Receiving, 11750 SW 40th Street, Miami, FL 33175 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
TUESDAY November 14, 2017
9:30AM – 4:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Miami Office, 7300 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 760, Miami, FL 33156 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
4:30PM – 8:00PM Aventura Hospital & Medical Center, Admitting Area, Office 1, 20900 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, FL 33180 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
2:00PM – 8:00PM Kendall Regional Medical Center, Admitting/Receiving, 11750 SW 40th Street, Miami, FL 33175 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
3:00PM – 9:00PPM Miami Dade College North Campus, New Student Center Room 1173-06, 11380 NW 27th Avenue, Miami, FL 33167 (ENGLISH ONLY)
11:00AM – 3:00PM Nanay Community Center, 659 NE 125th Street, North Miami, FL 33161 (ENGLISH/SPANISH). TRANSLATION SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR MANDARIN)
9:00AM – 6:00PM Sant La Haitian Community Neighborhood Center, Inc., 13390 West Dixie Highway. FL 33161 (ENGLISH/CREOLE)
WEDNESDAY, November 15, 2017
9:30AM – 4:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Miami Office, 7300 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 760, Miami, FL 33156 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
9:00AM – 5:00PM Branches – CFS North Lakeview, 11500 NW 12th Avenue, Miami, FL 33168 (ENGLISH/SPANISH/CREOLE)
2:00PM – 8:00PM Kendall Regional Medical Center, Admitting/Receiving, 11750 SW 40th Street, Miami, FL 33175 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
1:00PM – 8:00PM West Kendall Regional Baptist Hospital, First Impressions, 9555 SW 162nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33196 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
THURSDAY November 16, 2017
9:30AM – 4:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, Miami Office, 7300 N. Kendall Drive, Suite 760, Miami, FL 33156 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
4:30PM – 8:00PM Aventura Hospital & Medical Center, Admitting Area, Office 1, 20900 Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, FL 33180 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
2:00PM – 8:00PM Kendall Regional Medical Center, Admitting/Receiving, 11750 SW 40th Street, Miami, FL 33175 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
10:00AM – 3:00PM Miami Dade College North Campus, New Student Center Room 1173-06, 11380 NW 27th Avenue, Miami, FL 33167 (ENGLISH/CREOLE)
3:00PM – 8:00PM West Kendall Regional Baptist Hospital, First Impressions, 9555 SW 162nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33196 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
FRIDAY November 17, 2017
2:00PM – 8:00PM Kendall Regional Medical Center, Admitting/Receiving, 11750 SW 40th Street, Miami, FL 33175 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
SATURDAY November 18, 2017
9:00AM – 4:00PM Kendall Regional Medical Center, Admitting/Receiving, 11750 SW 40th Street, Miami, FL 33175 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
9:00AM – 4:00PM West Kendall Regional Baptist Hospital, First Impressions, 9555 SW 162nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33196 (ENGILSH/SPANISH)
3:00PM – 7:00PM P.I.G. 8 Pork is Good. 212 NE 59th Terrace, Miami, FL 33137 EDUCATION ONLY – NO ENROLLMENTS (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
PALM BEACH COUNTY
MONDAY November 13, 2017
6:00PM – 9:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, West Palm Beach Office, 3222 Commerce Place, Suite B, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
10:00AM – 4:00PM Palm Beach County Library, Belle Glade Branch, 725 NW 4th Street, Belle Glade, FL 33430 (ENGLISH ONLY)
9:00AM – 12:00PM and 1:00PM – 5:00PM Jamroc, 256 SW Avenue B Place, Belle Glade, FL 33430 (ENGLISH/CREOLE)
WEDNESDAY November 15, 2017
6:00PM – 9:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, West Palm Beach Office, 3222 Commerce Place, Suite B, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
THURSDAY November 16, 2017
10:00AM – 5:00PM Pompey Park Community Center, 1101 NW 2nd Street, Delray Beach, FL 33444 (ENGLISH ONLY)
5:00PM – 8:00PM Compass OPEN ENROLLMENT EVENT. 201 N. Dixie Highway, Lake Worth, FL 33460 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
FRIDAY November 17, 2017
6:00PM – 9:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, West Palm Beach Office, 3222 Commerce Place, Suite B, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
10:00AM – 4:00PM City of Lake Worth City Hall Annex Building, 414 Lake Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444 (ENGLISH ONLY)
SATURDAY November 18, 2017
9:00AM – 12:00PM and 1:00PM – 5:00PM Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, West Palm Beach Office, 3222 Commerce Place, Suite B, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
9:00AM – 12:00PM and 1:00PM – 5:00PM Jamroc, 256 SW Avenue B Place, Belle Glade, FL 33430. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL 1-877-553-7453 (ENGLISH/CREOLE)
9:00AM – 12:00PM and 1:00PM – 5:00PM Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital at the Delray Beach Medical Center, 5352 Linton Blvd., Delray Beach, FL 33484 (follow signs to Navigator; office to the left of the desk). (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
10:00AM – 5:00PM Pompey Park Community Center, 1101 NW 2nd Street, Delray Beach, FL 33444 (ENGLISH ONLY)
10:00AM – 4:00PM Palm Beach County Library Belle Glade Branch OPEN ENROLLMENT EVENT. 725 NW 4th Street, Belle Glade, FL 33430. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. CALL 1-877-553-7453 (ENGLISH/CREOLE)
10:00AM – 4:00PM Representative Lori Berman OPEN ENROLLMENT EVENT. TBA
Tomorrow, January 31 is the deadline for the Affordable Care Act’s fourth and current health insurance open enrollment period.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (EFOF), a state licensed and federally certified provider of in-person assistance for those wishing to shop for coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace, is continuing to offer free help to consumers with enrollment.
EFOF has been an assistance provider in every Affordable Care Act enrollment period, and has educated and assisted more than 250,000 Floridians at thousands of events in 35 counties. More than 15,000 consumers have received in-person enrollment assistance, including more than 7,500 consumers speaking languages other than English.
Navigators are available at the below locations to speak with media, about the impact of the Affordable Care Act and the importance of getting covered. Media: for exact dates, times, and to arrange interviews with Navigators or consumers, please contact Franco Ripple at 352-219-6029 or [email protected].
Consumers can schedule no-cost appointments for enrollment assistance by visiting www.efof.org or calling 1-877-553-7453.
Alachua County
Navigator: Jeannette Hamersmith
Location: Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (Gainesville office), address
Broward County
Navigator: Ron Sarraf-Berrios
Location: Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (Broward office), 512 NE 3rd Avenue, third floor, Fort Lauderdale
Escambia County
Navigator: Cecily Chundrlek
Location: Epilepsy Resource Center, 2401 Executive Plaza Road, Suite 3A, Pensacola
Miami Dade County
Navigator: Islara Souto
Location: Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (Miami office), 1200 NW 78th Avenue, Suite 400, Miami
Navigator: Blanca Mesa
Location: Frankie Shannon Rolle Resource Center, 3750 South Dixie Highway, Miami
Palm Beach County
Navigator: Mike Rizzo
Location: Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (Palm Beach office), 3222 Commerce Place, Suite B, West Palm Beach
During the week of January 9-15, the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (EFOF), a leading provider of free Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment assistance, will focus on Latino community outreach in North Florida with a Latino Week of Action.
Open Enrollment is ongoing through January 31 under the Affordable Care Act. Anyone seeking help with learning about health plans, determining eligibility for subsidies, and enrolling in health coverage before the deadline can receive free assistance by contacting one of EFOF’s Navigators, state-licensed and federally-certified enrollment experts.
EFOF has been an assistance provider in every Affordable Care Act enrollment period, and specializes in outreach to minority communities and those for whom English is a second language. Enrollment assistance is funded by federal grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“The January 31 deadline is fast approaching, and people need to know there is free assistance available to learn about their health plans, subsidies, and eligibility,” said Karen Basha Egozi, CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida. “We are encouraging people who are non-native English speakers or who have complicated immigration situations to take advantage of this free help, especially during this upcoming Latino Week of Action.”
Bilingual Navigators and appointments are available throughout the week at several North Florida locations. Consumers can call 1-877-553-7453 or visit www.efof.org and click on Enroll ACA.
Durante la semana de Enero 9-15, la Fundación de Epilepsia de la Florida (EFOF), un proveedor líder de asistencia gratuita para la inscripción en el Mercado de Seguros de Salud, Se enfocará en el alcance de la comunidad latina en la Florida del Norte con una Semana de Acción Latina.
La inscripción abierta está en curso hasta el 31 de enero bajo la Ley del Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio. Cualquier persona que busque ayuda para conocer los planes de salud, determinar la elegibilidad para subsidios y inscribirse en la cobertura de salud antes de la fecha límite puede recibir asistencia gratuita contactando uno de los navegadores de EFOF, expertos en inscripción con licencia estatal y con certificación federal.
EFOF ha sido un proveedor de asistencia en cada período de inscripción de la Ley del Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio, y se especializa en el alcance de las comunidades minoritarias y aquellos para quienes el inglés es una segunda lengua. La asistencia para la inscripción es financiada por subvenciones federales del Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de los Estados Unidos.
“La fecha límite del 31 de enero se aproxima rápidamente, y la gente necesita saber que hay asistencia gratuita disponible para aprender sobre sus planes de salud, subsidios y elegibilidad”, dijo Karen Basha Egozi, directora general de la Fundación de Epilepsia de la Florida. “Estamos alentando a personas que no son nativos de habla inglesa o que tienen situaciones de inmigración complicadas para aprovechar esta ayuda gratuita, especialmente durante la próxima Semana de Acción Latina”.
Los navegantes y las citas bilingües están disponibles a lo largo de la semana en varios lugares de la Florida del Norte. Los consumidores pueden llamar al 1-877-553-7453 o visitar www.efof.org y hacer clic en Registrar ACA.
