‘Navigators’ Will Inform and Help Consumers Enroll in Quality, Affordable Health Insurance Plans
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California™ has announced its intent to award up to $16.9 million in grants for the launch of its Navigator Program, the next phase in the agency’s outreach, education and enrollment efforts.
Covered California will award grants to educate consumers about Covered California health insurance plans and about how to obtain financial assistance to help pay for them. Navigator activities will also include informing consumers about the benefits of obtaining health care coverage, motivating consumers to act, helping consumers to shop for and compare plans, and assisting consumers in enrollment and renewals.
The goal of the Navigator Program is to enroll more than 130,000 subsidy-eligible consumers during the second open-enrollment period: Nov. 15, 2014, to Feb. 15, 2015. Navigators also will help current enrollees renew their health insurance coverage.
Covered California is seeking proposals from grant applicants that have statewide and regional reach or scope. Covered California seeks organizations with experience providing outreach to California’s diverse populations and proven success enrolling consumers in health care programs.
Upward of 135 organizations could receive grants, which will be based on recipients enrolling a predetermined number of consumers. Grants will cover the period of Oct. 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015.
The grant application deadline is July 28, 2014. Awards will be made starting Aug. 27, 2014. Covered California reserves the right to award grants in phases.
Organizations will be selected through a competitive grant application process. Applications will be evaluated based on the best overall value and most effective enrollment strategies. Grant applicants must comply with the Enrollment Assistance Program regulations. Interested organizations are encouraged to carefully review the application information and view a webinar that explains the application process on Covered California’s stakeholder website, at http://hbex.CoveredCA.com/navigator-program/.
About Covered California
Covered California is the state’s marketplace for the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Covered California, in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services, was charged with creating a new health insurance marketplace in which individuals and small businesses can get access to affordable health insurance plans. With coverage starting in 2014, Covered California helps individuals determine whether they are eligible for premium assistance that is available on a sliding-scale basis to reduce insurance costs or whether they are eligible for low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Small businesses can purchase competitively priced health insurance plans and offer their employees the ability to choose from an array of plans and may qualify for federal tax credits.
Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the new market work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. For more information on Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.
