(Washington, DC) — Today, the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) launched its own Facebook page during the District’s second annual Health Insurance Awareness Month. Facebook, the social networking website, which targets a younger cross-section of District residents, will be a new tool that DISB uses to make health insurance information understandable and more accessible to the public.

“We’re excited about launching this page,” said DISB Commissioner Thomas E. Hampton. “DISB targets all age groups, and we’re hoping we will give this younger audience the right message about having the appropriate health insurance coverage to meet their specific needs. Too often young adults falsely believe they do not need or cannot afford health insurance.”

DISB is using the page to demystify health insurance. Residents can browse the page to learn about DISB and its services, explore the agency’s photo albums, learn about upcoming events, and send email comments. During the month, Commissioner Hampton will respond to questions and host a Web log for users of this service.
To find the page, Facebook users should type in the name, “Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking.”  Or follow this link to go directly to the DISB page.  DISB urges members of the public to become fans of the page.

While the focus will be on health insurance coverage for singles and young families, the page will feature information for established families as well as seniors and empty nesters. Also, DISB will provide information for other groups such as the military, domestic partners, seniors caring for grandchildren and single parents. The page will be updated regularly to reflect changes at DISB throughout the year.

“It is troubling that more than 10 percent of the residents of the District of Columbia are without any health coverage,” Commissioner Hampton added. “It is essential for us to find various methods to continually inform residents about the types of private and government-sponsored health insurance plans and types of coverage available to them.”

In addition to Facebook, DISB will be issuing tips and alerts about health insurance to the general public during this month. DISB is reminding the public about the one-stop comprehensive health insurance website, healthinsurance.dc.gov, which it co-created with the Department of Health and the Office of the Chief Technology Officer last year.