CMS Announces Opportunity to Apply for Navigator Grants in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the availability of funding, totaling $60 million, to support Navigators in Federally-facilitated and State Partnership Marketplaces in 2014-2015. Navigators provide unbiased information to consumers about health insurance, the Health Insurance Marketplace, qualified health plans, and public programs including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

The funding opportunity announcement is open to eligible individuals, as well as private and public entities, applying to serve as Navigators in states with a Federally-facilitated or State Partnership Marketplace.  It is open to new and returning Navigator applicants, and applications are due by July 10, 2014.

Last month, CMS finalized regulations that update the requirements applicable to Navigators. The final rule is available at the Federal Register .

Navigators will now be required to maintain a physical presence in the Marketplace service area, so that face-to-face assistance can be provided to consumers. Navigator grant applicants will also be encouraged to perform background checks for all Navigator staff that will be handling sensitive or personally identifiable information (PII).  In addition to quarterly and annual reporting, Navigators will be required to submit to CMS weekly and monthly progress reports detailing their progress and activities in their target communities.

To access the funding opportunity announcement, visit: http://www.grants.gov, and search for CFDA # 93.332. 

More information about Navigators is available here

Additional information about the funding opportunity can be found here  

Consumer Assistance Roles Fact Sheet is available here

Funding Opportunity Announcement FAQs are available here

Questions or Concerns? Contact HHSIEA@hhs.gov