HHS announces $54M for 'navigators' to help consumers use new insurance marketplaces

The $54 million to hire and train people to help the uninsured sign up for coverage will be distributed to groups in 33 states based on their number of uninsured. Texas and Florida, for instance, with almost nine million uninsured, will get $14 million.

Kaiser Health News: $54M In Grants Will Help Enroll Uninsured In 33 States
The Obama administration on Tuesday said it will award $54 million to community groups in 33 states to help people sign up for insurance in the new online health insurance marketplaces that open for enrollment Oct. 1 (Galewitz and Gold, 4/9).

Kansas Health Institute: Navigator Grants Announced For Helping Consumers Find Health Insurance Via Exchanges
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services today announced its intent to award up to $54 million in grants to organizations interested in helping consumers navigate state health insurance exchanges. The exchanges, also known as marketplaces, are a key component of the Affordable Care Act, which required almost all Americans to have health insurance by Jan. 1 or pay a penalty (Ranney, 4/9).

The Hill: HHS Opens Applications For Obamacare 'Navigators'
The Health and Human Services (HHS) Department opened the application process Tuesday for $54 million in grants to help people navigate the new insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act. HHS released the grant opportunity for "navigators" -; people who will help consumers shop for insurance in newly created exchange (Baker, 4/9).

Modern Healthcare: Federal Grants Available For Exchange 'Navigators'
Organizations and individuals that want to help consumers register for health coverage in federally run or state partnership exchanges can apply for $54 million in grant funding, the CMS said today. The grants are available to self-employed individuals, as well as private companies and public organizations that will serve as "navigators" for the new exchanges. … Last week, the CMS released a proposed rule describing the role of navigators, as well as standards and requirements. In addition, the draft said that while agents and brokers could be navigators in the federal exchanges, they can't receive commissions (Block, 4/9).