October is Health Literacy Month

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health literacyIn addition to the launch of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act, last week conveniently marked the first day of Health Literacy Month. Health Literacy Month aims to educate individuals and organizations on the importance of improving how they communicate health information. This year’s theme, “Be a Health Literacy Hero,” encourages consumers to be proactive in seeking out more information that may improve their health – and the potential for achieving that mission has never been greater.

A combination of advancements in IT and today’s focus on the importance of streamlined health care services have brought an influx of innovative digital applications, making it easier for patients to stay informed on a variety of health care management issues. Whether you need to find your closest health care provider or quickly access details on payment options, there’s an app for that. CNSI’s myHealthButton, has the ability to provides individuals with real-time access to their health records and Medicaid benefits, and the best part is that consumers are able to easily access all of this information through their mobile devices. The app can even be customized to send users text message reminders for medical appointments!

The recently launched government website healthcare.gov is another great benefit for those interested in boosting their health literacy. The site helps individuals understand what health plans are available to them by compiling a list of available coverage based on an individual’s personal data, such as pre-existing health conditions, age, and job status. It also provides visitors with enrollment instructions and details about how new health care reform laws may affect them. Healthcare.gov also encourages users to engage with others on social media. Using the hashtag #GetCovered, users can share why health insurance is important to them. Thousands of users on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Google+ have joined the conversation. In the spirit of Health Literacy Month, you should too!

Why is health insurance important to you? Have you used healthcare.gov, myHealthButton, or another application to manage your health? Let us know by tweeting us at @CNSICorp or commenting below. Follow CNSI on Twitter