SACRAMENTO (KRON) — Covered California on Tuesday announced $10 million in new grants will go toward community groups in the Bay Area and across the state to help in the enrollment of the state health care exchange.
The grants will go to almost 70 “Navigator” organizations. Under the Navigator program, groups provide consumers in-person enrollment assistance, renewal assistance, ongoing support and education on how to get the best value from their health plan.
The grants range from $50,000 to $500,000 and come ahead of the upcoming third open enrollment period which is scheduled for Nov. 1 through Jan. 31.
Enrolling in person is important to many people, and certified enrollment counselors in the Navigator program, along with insurance agents, play a critical role by providing help to consumers who need it, said Covered California officials.
“We continue building partnerships across the state by providing new grants and new opportunities to community groups to engage consumers directly and help them get the health coverage and care they need,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said.
Covered California says during the last open-enrollment period, approximately 70 percent of eligible consumers enrolled or renewed with assistance from certified insurance agents, certified enrollment counselors or Navigators, or with the help of service center representatives who delivered assistance over the phone.
The Navigator program is a mandatory requirement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and is funded from revenue generated by Covered California.