Consumer Health Coalition
Alternate Name / AcronymCHC
Options: Vision, Mission and/or Purpose of OrganizationConsumer Health Coalition (CHC) is dedicated to inspiring a consumer movement to advance health and enhance access to quality, affordable health care.
We further our mission by targeting populations that are at-risk for experiencing barriers to good health and health care. This includes people with low incomes, the uninsured and underinsured, and underserved populations.
Our licensed healthcare Navigators provide free health coverage enrollment assistance for Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or the Health Insurance Marketplace. We can also assist with other issues, like understanding your coverage or finding prescription assistance programs. We do not assist with Medicare enrollment.
Our advocacy team focuses on both self and systemic advocacy. Advocacy work includes legislative campaigns and visits, letters to the editor and op-eds, rallies, consumer trainings, and community forums. Our consumer-led group, Health Committee for People with Disabilities meets monthly in three counties.
We serve all of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
History of Organization:The image of the Consumer Health Coalition (CHC) grew from the September 1995 conference, “Building a Coalition: Giving Consumers a Voice in Shaping Health Services.†As a body, the participants recognized that other health care stakeholders (i.e. hospitals, doctors, nurses, insurance companies, etc.) were well organized, but there was no organization that voiced the needs of patients. The participants also agreed that special emphasis should be placed on consumers at greatest risk for experiencing barriers to the health system (i.e. people with low incomes, the uninsured, people from minority racial and ethnic backgrounds, and people with disabilities).
The Coalition was formally launched in 1996 with generous funding from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation. Community Catalyst, a national, nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated to health care for all, also provided early technical assistance.
Today CHC has established itself as a leading consumer health advocacy organization in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Our staff, Board of Directors, network of volunteers, and community partners work hard to advance our mission “to inspire a consumer movement to advance health and enhance access to quality, affordable health care.â€
Options: Accreditations and LicensesOur health care Navigators are certified by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services and are licensed in the state of Pennsylvania.
Legal StructureNon-profit corporation
Funding SourcesCHC is a 501(c)3 organization funded by grants and private donations. Currently our major funding is from these sources:
ACHIEVA
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
FISA Foundation
PA Association of Community Health Centers
PA Department of Health
PA Developmental Disabilities Council
Leadership
Key Leaders| Name* | Title/Description (Executive Director, Vice President, etc.) | Phone Number 1 | Phone Number 2 | Fax Number | Email Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leslie Bachurski | Director of Consumer Navigation and Organizational Development | 412-456-1877 | 412-456-1096 | lbachurski@consumerhealthcoalition.org | |
Contact Information
Contact Person(s)| Name* | Title/Description (Intake Specialist, Secretary, etc.) | Phone Number 1 | Phone Number 2 | Fax Number | Email Address |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassie Narkevic | Certified Navigator | 412-456-1877 x212 | 412-456-1096 | cnarkevic@consumerhealthcoalition.org | |
| Number* | Title / Description (Telephone, Toll free, Fax, etc.) |
|---|---|
| 412-456-1877 | CHC Helpline |
| Email* | Title / Description (Director, General, Intake, etc.) |
|---|---|
| lbachurski@consumerhealthcoalition.org | Leslie Bachurski, Director of Consumer Navigation and Organizational Development |
| Website* | Title / Description (National, Local office, etc.) |
|---|---|
| http://www.consumerhealthcoalition.org | CHC Website |
Consumer Health Coalition - Primary Address
Address:415 East Ohio Street
Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Map It
We serve all of Southwestern Pennsylvania
Services ProvidedAvailable HoursWeekdays 9am - 5pm, but we have many community and weekend events during Open Enrollment - November 1 - December 15, 2017.
Fees/Cost for ServicesThere is NO charge for our assistance.
Eligibility RequirementsHealth coverage program eligibility varies based on income and household size. Everyone in the community is eligible for our help with enrollment and advocacy.
Required DocumentationTo complete your enrollment, you will need to provide:
- Name, Social Security Number, and date of birth for all family members who apply for coverage
- Proof of address, such as photo ID, utility bill, etc.
- Proof of income such as paystubs
Additional information may be necessary on a case-by-case basis.
How to Access Services or Schedule AppointmentsCall our helpline at 412-456-1877 or request our assistance online here: http://consumerhealthcoalition.org/contact/
Handicap AccessibilityYes, our office has an elevator and no stairs are required.
Languages Spoken or AvailableEnglish and Spanish in-person assistance. Telephone interpretation service is available with advance notice for other languages.
Speaker AvailableYes
Volunteer UseNo
Volunteer NeedNo
