HHS has announced 90 nonprofit organizations will receive a total of $60 million to help support outreach activities for insurance enrollment on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act exchanges.
Navigators help consumers enroll in health coverage and compare their insurance options, which includes helping people determine if they are eligible for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Outreach efforts, including the use of navigators, helped 10.6 million people apply for coverage in marketplace plans, Medicaid and CHIP during the first enrollment period, according to a recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The additional funding will be used to help improve outreach efforts. For example, navigators who assist in the next enrollment period will be required to submit weekly reports to HHS detailing their progress and the outreach efforts they are using in their communities. In addition, based on consumer feedback, HHS is also requiring additional training for navigators, such as a course on advanced marketplace issues.
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