CMS commits $100M to support ACA navigators

With open enrollment on the Affordable Care Act exchanges just a few months away, the feds are investing $100 million in navigators to assist people in securing coverage.

The grants will go to 44 organizations operating in states that use the federal exchange, Healthcare.gov. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said that the latest investment is part of a commitment to provide up to $500 million over five years.

Navigators provide free support to people connecting with Healthcare.gov to find health insurance. They go over eligibility and enrollment forms, and offer guidance on how to use coverage once it has been secured.

They can also provide assistance in signing up for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

“Everyone in this Administration believes health care is a fundamental right for all, not a privilege for the few,” said CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, in a press release. “We continue to put weight behind that promise by ensuring the millions who still need coverage know affordable options are available.”

“Having access to trusted local partners is key to improving access to health services, particularly for those who just need a little extra help to understand the critical lifeline available through the ACA Marketplace and how to choose the best plan to meet their needs,” Brooks-LaSure said.

Enrollment in coverage through the ACA exchanges has reached record highs. As membership has grown, CMS has pushed navigators to focus outreach on underserved groups, which the agency says account for more than 20% of marketplace enrollees in the past several years.

This includes connecting with racial and ethnic minorities as well as LGBTQIA+ individuals, CMS said. Navigators can also reach populations that lack internet access, transportation or proficiency with English.

“The Biden-Harris Administration believes that health care should be a right. We are committed to ensuring that all communities and individuals are connected to affordable, high-quality health coverage,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “And to help make that possible, we are making the single largest investment ever in the history of the Navigator program.”