Independence Blue Cross Works To Extend Its Reach In The Latino Community
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Independence Blue Cross held an enrollment event Sunday afternoon at a historic church at 5th and Girard in Philadelphia's Northern Liberties section.
After mass at St. Peter the Apostle Church, home of the St. John Neumann Shrine, a mariachi band led parisioners through the parking lot into the parish hall, where bilingual reps from Independence Blue Cross manned an information table.
Pastor Father Richard Bennett says the largely Spanish-speaking parishioners face a number of challenges when it comes to finding the right health insurance.
"Some of it is language, some of it might be a lack of familiarity with the healthcare system, and a lot of it is just being I-T savvy or not being I-T savvy -- some folks don't even have an email address," Bennett said. "So, just to have a person who's patient, kind, understanding, and speaks your language -- on many different levels -- help and assist them in the process is very helpful."
Independence Blue Cross says the outreach effort will continue, with events scheduled this week at the 7 Brothers supermarkets.
