Andrea Palm, Deputy Secretary | https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/andrea-palm.html
The Biden-Harris Administration today announced a $100 million investment in organizations that assist underserved communities, consumers, and small businesses in enrolling for health coverage through HealthCare.gov and the Health Insurance Marketplace®. This initiative, led by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), aims to bolster efforts ahead of the Marketplace Open Enrollment starting November 1, 2024. The grants are part of a larger commitment of up to $500 million over five years, marking the longest grant period and financial commitment to date.
“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. And to help make that possible, we are making the single largest investment ever in the history of the Navigator program,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Under President Biden and Vice President Harris, Navigators have helped educate and enroll millions in quality coverage, contributing to the lowest uninsurance rate in our nation’s history, including record enrollments in communities often left behind. HHS will continue to double down on our efforts so we can reach people where they are, increase coverage, and save lives.”
“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. “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.”
Navigators provide free assistance with exploring health coverage options through HealthCare.gov, from reviewing plans to assisting with eligibility and enrollment forms. They also help with post-enrollment services such as using coverage for care and enrolling or renewing Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage. These Navigators have been vetted and trained under the Biden-Harris Administration.
During the 2024 plan year Marketplace Open Enrollment Period, 21.4 million people selected health care plans through HealthCare.gov and State-based Marketplaces with Navigator assistance. National estimates indicate most consumers qualified for $0 premiums after subsidies or saved at least $800 annually on their premiums due to expanded subsidies from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
To further support community-based organizations becoming Navigators, CMS has streamlined this year's application process while focusing outreach on key underserved groups accounting for more than 20% of recent Marketplace enrollees. These groups include racial and ethnic minorities; rural communities; LGBTQIA+ communities; refugees; immigrants; low-income families; pregnant parents; and those lacking transportation, internet access, or English proficiency.
For instance:
- Rural Health Project Inc., targeting 12 rural counties in northwestern Oklahoma with language support in Marshallese.
- Choose Healthy Life will use a faith-based approach across 15 counties in South Carolina.
- Foundation Communities focuses on low-income individuals and racial minorities around Austin, Texas.
For more information about this year’s Navigator grantees or assistance with applications during Open Enrollment from November 1, 2024, visit https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/in-person-assisters/programs-procedures/in-person-assistance#Navigators or Find Local Help at HealthCare.gov.
