Last week, Covered California announced more than $10 million in grants for navigator organizations to help boost enrollment in the state exchange during the next open enrollment period, KRON4 reports.
Background
The navigator program is required under the Affordable Care Act and is funded by Covered California revenue.
According to the exchange, about 70% of consumers during the second open enrollment period enrolled in or renewed coverage with help from:
Certified insurance agents;
Certified enrollment counselors or navigators; or
Exchange services representatives.
The third open enrollment period begins on Nov. 1 and runs until Jan. 31, 2016 (Song, KRON4, 7/14).
Details of Grants
The grants — which range from $50,000 to $500,000 — went to 68 community navigator organizations throughout California (Covered California release, 7/14).
The grants were awarded to:
22 organizations in the Los Angeles region, totaling $3 million;
10 organizations in the Northern California region, totaling $1.475 million;
10 organizations in the Central Valley region, totaling $1.275 million;
Nine organizations in the Inland Empire region, total $1.5 million
Seven organizations in the San Diego region, totaling of $1.675 million;
Five organizations in the Bay Area, totaling $825,000;
Four organizations in the Orange County region, totaling $300,000; and
One organization in the Central Coast region, totaling $100,000 (Grant recipient list, July 2015).
Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee in a statement said, “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” (KRON4, 7/14).