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RWJF brief provides information on Navigators and IPAs

Posted on March 13, 2013 | Comment (1)

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State Health Reform Assistance Network, a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, released an issue brief detailing basic information regarding Navigators and In-Person Assistors (IPAs), two programs that will aid individuals enrolling in state insurance marketplaces.  The brief specifically discusses policy and operational issues regarding the programs, as well as resources and ideas utilized by states designing their own Navigators and IPAs.  This is one of several briefs intended to educate and assist state policy makers in implementing this facet of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Comment (1)

  • coleman colla says:
    March 13, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    I am interested in volunteering to assist others in enrolling. I am retired and live in Los Angeles, CA. Are there any such opportunities? If so, how do I find them?

    Thanks
    Coleman Colla

    ** There are multiple ways to do this. One is more formal and involves becoming certified as an application counselor. This essentially means the state (California) would certify a particular entity, such as a community health center or public health agency, as an official consumer assistance site, providing application counselors to help individuals enroll. This would require being trained by them before becoming certified. (See here for information on California’s certification program: http://www.cahba.com/covered-california/assisters.htm.) The other, less formal way, is to volunteer at a local community meeting place, such as a church or union hall, where one might provide assistance with helping folks gather forms. However, I would suggest the former, and encourage you to reach out to an organization called Enroll America for more information. (Check out this factsheet: http://files.www.enrollamerica.org/best-practices-institute/enroll-america-publications/Enrollment_Assisters_Fact_Sheet.pdf.)

    Their contact information is as follows:

    Enroll America
    1201 New York Ave NW, Suite 1100
    Washington, DC 20005
    phone: 202-737-6340
    website: http://www.enrollamerica.org
    email: inquiries@enrollamerica.org

CCIIO provides additional guidance on Navigators and Marketplace assistance
May 17, 2013
The Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) issued additional information on navigators and other consumer assistance and outreach programs provided by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The document expands upon the standards with which these assistors must comply, available grant funding, and the differences between the assistance programs.
Obama administration announces $150 million in funding to CHCs for in-person enrollment assistance
May 9, 2013
Today the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the awarding of $150 million in funding to the nation's 1200 community health centers for the purposes of providing in-person enrollment assistance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). With these new funds, health centers will be able to hire new staff, train existing staff, and conduct community outreach events and other educational activities in order to help provide in-person enrollment assistance to uninsured individuals across the country, according to the agency press release here. The full funding announcement, which contains detailed breakouts of the dollar amounts awarded to specific health centers, can be found here.
CMS releases Navigator FOA
April 9, 2013
This afternoon, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for Navigators in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces. Navigators are charged with providing impartial education and guidance to consumers about the public and private health insurance options available to them in their state health insurance Marketplaces, which are currently being created as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The FOA is available for self-employed individuals, as well as public and private organizations interested in becoming Navigators. The maximum amount of funding available is $54 million, and applications are due by June 7th, 2013.
CMS releases Navigator NPRM
April 3, 2013
Today, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule regarding Navigator standards in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces. The rule also expanded upon previous guidance released about the program. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Navigators are intended to provide unbiased information to consumers that will aid them in understanding and applying for the various types of coverage within their state Marketplaces. Specifically, the proposed rule outlines conflict-of-interest, training and certification, and meaningful access standards designed to ensure that Navigators in all Marketplaces remain impartial and accessible.
HHS publishes final rule on Exchanges
March 12, 2012
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a final rule on the Affordable Health Insurance Exchanges (Exchanges) this morning. The publication combines policies from two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) released last summer. The first outlined a proposed framework to enable states to build Exchanges and the second outlined standards for eligibility for enrollment in qualified health plans (QHPs) through the Exchange market. Starting in 2014, Exchanges will be operational...
Navigators and Application Counseling and Assistance
April 24, 2013
The ACA (§§1311(d) and (i)) and implementing regulations (45 C.F.R. §155.210) require that all Exchanges establish Navigator programs to provide fair, accurate and impartial information regarding health insurance coverage across Exchanges and state Medicaid and CHIP programs. Navigators also facilitate selection of QHPs and provide referrals for consumers with questions, complaints, or grievances to other consumer assistance and ombudsman programs. The Navigator program requirement applies regardless of whether the Exchange is operated by a state government or by the federal government (known as a “federally-facilitated Exchange”), either with or without a state Consumer Assistance Partnership...
UPDATE: Federal Health Insurance Marketplaces: A Conversation with CCIIO Director Gary Cohen
February 7, 2013
This Update begins with a summary of federal policy guidance on health insurance Marketplaces that has been issued to date. It then presents in its entirety an interview with Gary Cohen, conducted by Professor Sara Rosenbaum of GW on January 29, 2013. The Update concludes with some observations about key issues that will arise as implementation of the federal Marketplace proceeds.
Update: CMS FAQs on Exchanges, Market Reforms and Medicaid
December 19, 2012
This Update summarizes the CMS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document issued on December 10, 2012.
Update: Exchanges Establishment and Eligibility Final Rule
April 10, 2012
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a final rule[1] addressing two previous proposed rules: “Establishment of Exchanges and Qualified Health Plans”[2] and “Exchange Functions in the Individual Market: Eligibility Determinations and Exchange Standards for Employers.”[3] The final rule addresses 1) minimum federal standards that States must meet to establish and operate exchanges, 2) the minimum standards that health insurance issuers must meet as Qualified Health Plans (QHPs), and 3) basic standards employers must meet to participate in the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchange. CMS indicates that certain portions of the rule will be considered interim final, and the agency will accept comments on certain sections.[4] CMS also indicates in the Preamble that additional details will be made available in future guidance and rulemaking, where appropriate. For information on the proposed rules, click here. This Update describes major changes made by CMS in the final rule.
UPDATE: Federal Health Insurance Marketplaces: A Conversation with CCIIO Director Gary Cohen
February 7, 2013
This Update begins with a summary of federal policy guidance on health insurance Marketplaces that has been issued to date. It then presents in its entirety an interview with Gary Cohen, conducted by Professor Sara Rosenbaum of GW on January 29, 2013. The Update concludes with some observations about key issues that will arise as implementation of the federal Marketplace proceeds.
NASHP report on Exchanges focuses on individual states
March 6, 2012
The Affordable Care Act's Health Benefit Exchanges (Exchanges) must be implemented in every state by January 1, 2014. The development of Exchanges will have a significant impact on how consumers access and sign up for coverage. National Academy of State Health Policy (NASHP) established the State Health Exchange Leadership Network, "a peer learning network for exchange leads." The purpose of the Network is to foster interaction and education as states move ahead with the design, construction, and execution of the Health Benefits Exchange market. This report examines key consumer-related issues and challenges that states must tackle as they plan and implement their Exchanges. Three main areas where consumers intersect with the Exchange are covered in the report...
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