Misericordia University Student Organization to Offer Free Assistance for Enrolling in Health Insurance Marketplace

The Misericordia University Health Care Management Program and student-run Health Care Management Association are providing information and assistance on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for people who need help navigating the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2019. Registration for the free session is in the lobby of the Insalaco Center for Career Development in McAuley Hall.

Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace begins Nov. 1 and runs through Dec. 15 for anyone who needs to enroll, re-enroll or change their insurance plan through the Affordable Care Act. Medical coverage can begin as Jan. 1, 2019 by signing up for insurance.

“Students in our Health Care Management Association will be spearheading this service-learning project,’’ said Ronald V. Petrilla, Ph.D., assistant professor of business at Misericordia University. “By volunteering, our students gain hands-on experience in their field of study and also provide a vital service to members in our local community who rely on the Affordable Care Act to receive health insurance.’’

The Bachelor of Science in health care management at Misericordia University offers two distinct tracts: a four-year degree for traditional students and the 2½-year program for adult learners in the Expressway Accelerated Degree Program. The academic program is designed to respond to the specific needs of health care organizations in today’s dynamic environment. Management skills, leadership development, strategic planning, marketing, health care finance and law are examined, including a comprehensive understanding of finance, insurance and payment mechanisms.

For more information about the free community education event at Misericordia University, please call Dr. Petrilla at (570) 674-1764. Please log on to www.misericordia.edu/business and click on health care management to find out more about the academic program. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1924, Misericordia University is Luzerne County’s first four-year college and offers 56 academic programs on the graduate and undergraduate levels in full- and part-time formats. Misericordia University ranks in the top tier of the Best Regional Universities – North category of U.S. News and World Report’s 2019 edition of Best Colleges. The Princeton Review recognizes MU as a 2019 Best Northeastern College and Money Magazine includes Misericordia in its 2018-19 “Best Colleges” list.

The Misericordia University Health Care Management Program and student-run Health Care Management Association are providing information and assistance on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for people who need help navigating the Health Insurance Marketplace for 2019. Registration for the free session is in the lobby of the Insalaco Center for Career Development in McAuley Hall. Ronald V. Petrilla, Ph.D., assistant professor of business, seated, poses with Student Health Care Management Association officers, from left, Jessica Balcacer, secretary, Scranton, Pa.; Kristen Southard, vice president, Scranton, Pa.; Justin Occhipinti, financial director, Dunmore, Pa.; Noah Bard, legal advisor, Kunkletown, Pa., and Erica Bond, president, Breinigsville, Pa.