Latinos United for Healthcare

Community Resources

Starting October 1, 2013, students and campus community members in all states will be able to apply for new affordable health coverage options through the Health Insurance Marketplace for coverage beginning as soon as January 1, 2014. Some states are setting up a State-based Marketplace, other states will work with the federal government in a State Partnership Marketplace, and the remaining states will have a Federally-facilitated Marketplace. No matter what state they live in, consumers will be able to get live in-person help as they go through the process of applying for and choosing new coverage options in the Marketplace.

Navigators

Each Marketplace must establish a grant program to fund entities or individuals called “Navigators” that will provide consumer assistance. Navigators will help consumers understand new health insurance options available through the Marketplace and will help consumers select a health plan.

Navigators will have a vital role in helping consumers prepare electronic and paper applications to establish eligibility and enroll in coverage through the Marketplace. This includes steps to help students, part-time employees and community members find out if they qualify for insurance affordability programs (including a premium tax credit, cost sharing reductions, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program) and, if eligible, to get enrolled. Navigators will also provide outreach and education to consumers, including on your campus, to raise awareness about the Marketplace, and will refer consumers to ombudsmen and other consumer assistance programs when necessary.

Beginning in October, in a Federally-facilitated or State Partnership Marketplace, you will be able to locate Navigators and other assisters by calling the National Health Insurance Marketplace Call Center or on HealthCare.gov under “Find Someone Local.”

For a list of Navigators in Federally Facilitated Marketplaces please download the PDF.

A State-based Marketplace will have its own in-person assistance training requirements. You will have to check the state’s call center or website (which will be linked from HealthCare.gov).

To learn more about the Marketplace in your state, please click here or check out the chart below:

states chart


Community Health Centers

In July 2013, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced $150 million in grant awards to 1,159 health centers across the nation to enroll uninsured Americans in new health coverage options made available by the Affordable Care Act.

Health centers in all 50 states received these awards. The purpose of this funding is to help consumers understand their coverage options through the new Marketplace, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program; determine their eligibility and what financial help they can get; and enroll in new affordable health coverage options beginning October 1.

For a list of health centers receiving this funding in your area please click here.