CMS Grants to Fund Consumer Assistance Services When Buying Insurance

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has awarded grants totaling $67 million to fund “Navigator” positions in state health insurance exchanges.


The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has awarded grants totaling $67 million to fund “Navigator” positions in state health insurance exchanges.

The grants, to 105 applying entities in 34 states, are to hire and train Navigators, who will aid consumers applying for and selecting insurance through federally-facilitated insurance (built and operated by the feds) and exchanges that states are building in partnership with the federal government. The remaining states are building exchanges on their own with federal funds.

Organizations receiving funds included provider and payer organizations, tribal consortiums, patient advocacy groups, colleges, churches, associations, and local health departments, United Way and Urban League organizations, legal aid societies, aging councils, visiting nurse services and Planned Parenthood organizations. A list of grantees is available here.

CMS now is offering a new round of grant funds to hire and train “Application Counselors” who will perform many of the same functions as Navigators. More information is available here.

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