Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Hosts Free Health Insurance Enrollment and Wellness Fair in Houston

Enrollment event provides in-person, bilingual assistance with education and enrollment in health insurance marketplace

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Nov 20, 2014, 03:03 ET

HOUSTON, Nov. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) is hosting a free, health insurance enrollment and wellness event in Houston on December 6 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Chancellors Family Center. At the Countdown to Coverage: Health Care Enrollment and Wellness Fair, enrollment counselors will provide Texans with in-person enrollment assistance in both English and Spanish. The event will also offer on-site health insurance educational resources for consumers interested in learning how to get the most benefit from their health insurance coverage, free health screenings and additional community resources.

The 2015 health insurance enrollment period opened on November 15, 2014, and will continue through February 15, 2015. For coverage to begin January 1, 2015, consumers need to enroll or re-enroll in their health plan by December 15, 2014.

"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is committed to raising awareness about the importance of enrolling in health insurance and choosing a health insurance plan that is the best fit for you and your family," said Dr. Robert Morrow, medical director for BCBSTX. "The Countdown to Coverage: Health Care Enrollment and Wellness Fair is a great opportunity to talk with someone in person while accessing additional health and community services."

The event will also offer free flu shots, medical screenings, community resources, free bags of fresh produce donated by H-E-B (one per family while supplies last) and a children's activity area featuring a balloon maker, face painting and Wii Fitness Games. Pharmacy students from Texas Southern University and the University of Houston will provide free flu shots and medical screenings in collaboration with H-E-B and the Caring for Children Foundation of Texas.

Several community organizations are planning to be on-site to provide health and wellness information, including the Alzheimer's Association, the American Lung Association, Community Family Centers, Easter Seals, the Houston Food Bank, United Way and others.

BCBSTX will be hosting a similar event in Dallas on December 13, and again in both Houston and Dallas in January.

In communities across the state, BCBSTX is providing information and assistance through events, corporate and retail partnerships, traveling mobile assistance centers and RVs, online resources and social media outreach. BCBSTX is working to reach as many Texans as possible before the enrollment period closes on February 15, 2015.

Houston Event Specifics:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Countdown to Coverage: Health Care Enrollment and Wellness Fairs

Saturday, December 6, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Chancellors Family Center, 6535 Dumfries Dr., Houston, Texas 77096
Parking is free (enter the parking lot at Dumfries and Fondren)

Consumers can register early for the events by calling 866-427-7497 or visiting EnrollYouTx.com.

To learn more about the Affordable Care Act and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas health plans, visit www.bcbstx.com or call 888-731-0317 for assistance in English or Spanish.

About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) – the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas – is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 80,000 physicians and 500 hospitals to serve 5 million members in all 254 counties. BCBSTX is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country's largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall. Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

BCBSTX.com | Twitter.com/BCBSTX | Facebook.com/BlueCrossBlueShieldOfTexas | YouTube

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SOURCE Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas