Reform Alert - News from the Blues' Office of National Health Reform

CMS announces new navigator funding opportunity

April 30, 2013

On April 9, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the availability of new funding to support Navigators in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces. Navigators are individuals and entities that will provide unbiased information to consumers about health insurance, the new Health Insurance Marketplace, qualified health plans, and public programs including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

This funding is open to eligible self-employed individuals, and private and public entities applying as Navigators in states with a Federally-facilitated or State Partnership Marketplace. Total funding is up to $54 million nationally, with each service area receiving an apportionment of funds.

The state of Michigan has qualified for a total of $1,909,960 in funding, which will be awarded to successful applicants within the state based on the scope of activities being proposed and the population size to be served.

Optional letters of intent to apply for a Navigator grant are due to the Department of Health and Human Services on May 1, with applications due on June 7. HHS will announce the awards August 15.

The information in this document is based on preliminary review of the national health care reform legislation and is not intended to impart legal advice. The federal government continues to issue guidance on how the provisions of national health reform should be interpreted and applied. The impact of these reforms on individual situations may vary. This overview is intended as an educational tool only and does not replace a more rigorous review of the law’s applicability to individual circumstances and attendant legal counsel and should not be relied upon as legal or compliance advice. As required by US Treasury Regulations, we also inform you that any tax information contained in this communication is not intended to be used and cannot be used by any taxpayer to avoid penalties under the Internal Revenue Code.