The South Pasadena Public Library and the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library have teamed up with Project White Coat and the California Health Professional Student Alliance (CaHPSA) to provide free, one-on-one sessions to help the public with the Covered California application process. Covered California is the state exchange marketplace where individuals can go to buy private health insurance plans. From 11/23/15 and concluding 1/26/15 shortly before the application period closes, South Pasadena Public Library will host Project White Coat workers at various times as noted below in the Ray Bradbury Conference Room (upstairs in the Library at 1100 Oxley Street) and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (in the Library Community Room at 1115 El Centro Street). Project White Coat workers have extensive knowledge of the healthcare system because they are health profession students. And with the closing date of open enrollment approaching, they are making the process of finding the best health care convenient and easy.

With 10 health insurance companies selling their products on Covered California, it’s easy for people to become overwhelmed. This is especially true for first time buyers. Project White Coat’s unique make-up of dedicated students from within the healthcare system provides an opportunity for consumers to enroll with a trustworthy individual in a comfortable, non-threatening environment. All Project White Coat workers are certified through Covered California, are trained in confidentiality and handling personal information, and bilingual in Spanish and English. Project White Coat Certified Enrollment Counselors (CEC’s) can assist anyone at any point of the application process– whether it be entering income information or in choosing a health plan. They can also answer a wide variety of questions with an unbiased approach.

The California Health Professional Student Alliance (CaHPSA) received a Navigator grant from Covered California to fund Project White Coat. CaHPSA is a statewide student group that advocates for social justice in the healthcare field. The majority of CaHPSA students are currently pursuing secondary degrees in a healthcare professional field but also includes individuals in other fields.

• Library Community Room-Sunday, 1/3, 1 pm to 4 pm
• Library Community Room-Monday, 1/4, 7 pm to 9 pm
• Library Community Room- Tuesday, 1/5, 7 pm to 9 pm
• Library Community Room- Tuesday, 1/19, 7 pm to 9 pm
• Library Community Room- Monday, 1/25, 7 pm to 9 pm
• Library Community Room- Tuesday, 1/26, 7 pm to 9 pm