The Department of Health and Human Services will award navigator grants amounting to $60 million in a bid to help more Americans enroll in affordable health coverage.
HHS announced Monday that the federal grants will go to 90 organizations across states with health insurance marketplaces, where navigators provide in-person assistance to enrollees on their choice of health coverage option or access to information about public programs that may suit them.
“In-person assisters have an impact on the lives of so many Americans, helping individuals and families across the country access quality, affordable health coverage,†HHS Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell said.
“We are committed to helping Americans get covered and stay covered with in-person assistance in their own communities,†she added.
The agency cited a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, which found that the Affordable Care Act has enabled 10.6 million individuals to have health plans and access to programs such as Medicaid, thanks in part to navigators.
HHS said it expects the new grant to result in a higher percentage of enrolments.
Along with the financial award, the agency also announced updated requirements for navigator eligibility, among them the submission of regular progress reports and residency in the marketplace area that they serve.
