Policyholders who are contemplating sticking with their employee benefits plan or taking advantage of the marketplaces provided by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will have new sources to turn to in order to better understand what the exchanges are all about.
Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services made $67 million in grant awards available to so-called "navigators," who are to serve as outlets consumers can meet with in order to receive assistance or advice about how to traverse through the marketplaces that are still slated to open this fall.
Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the HHS, indicated that navigators will stand ready and willing to serve anyone who needs counsel.
"Navigators will be among the many resources available to help consumers understand their coverage options in the marketplace," said Sebelius. "A network of volunteers on the ground in every state – healthcare providers, business leaders, faith leaders, community groups, advocates, and local elected officials – can help spread the word and encourage their neighbors to get enrolled."
HHS indicates that navigators are uniquely qualified to handle consumers' questions about the health insurance marketplace, as they're specialized in a thorough comprehension of the exchanges, qualified health plans as well as government sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Part of the reason for their firm grasp of insurance-related information may stem from the fact that they have to complete 30 hours of training in order to become certified as a navigator. These training courses are to be taken throughout the year.
It appears as though many Americans aren't familiar with these navigators, though. In a recent poll performed by health insurance information company HealthPocket, only 3 percent of consumers said that they'd get advice about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act from a navigator.
