HHS investing nearly $100M in health navigators for open enrollment
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is making its biggest investment to date in grant funding to navigator organizations for the 2023 open enrollment period for health insurance.
The funding, which is through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) includes $98.9 million that will help ensure consumers can navigate health insurance enrollment through the Marketplace, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The funding enables navigator organizations to retain and add staff. There are already 1,500 existing navigators who were trained to help consumers find insurance coverage in nearly every state during the 2022 enrollment period.
The Biden administration has increasingly focused on funding healthcare access throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, investing $80 million for the 2022 open enrollment period and quadrupling the number of navigators. As a result of the funding that also helped conduct 1,800 outreach and education events at accessible areas—such as local libraries, vaccination clinics, food drives, county fairs, and job fairs––a record 14.5 million people signed up for 2022 healthcare coverage through the Marketplaces, including nearly 6 million people who newly gained coverage, according to HHS.
“This is a historic investment to connect people to high-quality, affordable healthcare,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement. “Last year, our investments helped result in the lowest uninsured rate in our nation’s history. This year, we’re doubling down on our efforts to ensure people get the insurance they need. Navigators critically help us reach people where they are, educating them on their health insurance options that can be lifesaving.”
Navigators have become critical parts of the healthcare enrollment process since the Affordable Care Act went into effect. They help people establish eligibility for coverage and enroll in a plan through the marketplaces, and determine if consumers are eligible for affordability programs. Navigators operate year-round to increase awareness about health insurance coverage options.
Of the funding for the 2023 enrollment period, $12.5 million will go to navigators to support additional direct outreach, education, and enrollment activities aimed at helping eligible individuals transition from Medicaid/CHIP to Marketplace coverage. More funds may be used for hiring additional navigators, targeting outreach in areas of high need and increasing enrollment assistance capacity through virtual and telephonic appointments.
“Reaching people where they are is a key part of our strategy to connect people to health coverage,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “Navigators were incredibly effective during the last Open Enrollment period when a historic number of people signed up and now we are doubling down on investing in community Navigators who can help people find the coverage they need.”
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."