This week we will turn our attention to the wonderful folks at the Colorado African Organization (CAO). Our Health Coverage Guide at the CAO, Sara Maru, who has worked for Connect for Health on enrollments last year, as well as this open enrollment period. We are happy to have her expertise on board this year.
About CAO
The
Colorado African Organization is an umbrella non-profit organization serving
all African immigrants and refugees in Colorado. It was formed in 2003 by a
group of immigrant African Professionals; the founders realized that while
African formed an important part of the ethnic community in Colorado, they were
under represented and underserved. Believing that the African community in
Colorado would benefit from a strong, unified voice that spoke for the needs of
all Africans regardless of ethnicities, nationalities and backgrounds-CAO was
formed the mission to foster unity, advocate for all African in Colorado and
provide Services. CAO’s board has
recently revised its mission to include our move to provide services to
refugees and immigrants from any country.
CAO
houses GLOBAL BHUTANESE COMMUNITY COLORADO (GBCC) and BURMA COMMUNITY RANGERS
(BCR) and gives technical assistance for the service of their communities. Both
these organizations have their common goals to unite and bring community people
in a common platform, to address the issues and help them find the resources
and also to encourage them to gain the status of self-sufficiency.
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| Sara Maru from the CAO |
Meet the Health Coverage Guide: Sara Maru
How do you feel about your role as a Health Coverage Guide?
My role as a Community Health Guide at the CAO provides the clients support needed to complete the ACA application process, including education about all the health coverage options available as well as information about the tax credits available. The clients I serve are not aware of the benefits available to them, because they are coming from a country that did not provide health care benefits. It is important that I am able to speak to them in their Native Language, so that they can understand fully how important having insurance is and why they need it.
How does your organization help the diverse Aurora Community?
Our organization provides information through presentations and education. As stated above our clients are not aware of all the benefits they may be eligible for.
What is a health coverage story you would like to share?
One of our clients has been in the United States for 20 years, and worked for a small business with no insurance. Since coming to us, she now has become eligible for APTC.
Why is health insurance so important?
Health insurance is important to everyone. In our community the need for insurance is probably greater due to our clients not having medical care available to them before coming to the US. If one becomes ill and goes to the hospital, the first thing they want to know is do you have insurance. You cannot make an appointment with a doctor if you do not have insurance. If for some reason a doctor decides to see you without insurance, you will receive a bill that most likely you will be unable to pay.
Any special events/dates you want us to be aware of?
Our hours of operation are: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. We do see clients by appointments and/or on a walk-in basis (first come, first served basis for walk-ins)
CAO Address:
6795 E. Tennessee Avenue Suite 250
Denver, CO 80224
Phone: 303-953-7060
Website: http://www.caoden.org/
