HHS Awards $67 Million in Exchange Navigator Grants

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced $67 million in grant awards to 105 Navigator grant applicants in federally-facilitated and state partnership exchanges. These Navigator grantees and their staff will serve as an in-person resource for individuals who want additional assistance in shopping for and enrolling in plans in the exchanges beginning this fall. The $67 million was more than the originally estimated $50 million, and comes entirely out of the ACA-created Prevention and Public Health Fund.

Navigators will be trained to provide unbiased information in a culturally competent manner to consumers about health insurance, the new exchanges, qualified health plans, and public programs including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The Navigator funding opportunity announcement was open to eligible private and public groups and people who are self-employed who met certain standards to promote effectiveness, diversity, and program integrity.

Navigators will be required to adhere to strict security and privacy standards – including how to safeguard a consumer’s personal information. They will be required to complete 20-30 hours of training to be certified, will take additional training throughout the year, and will renew their certification yearly.