Covering Florida Navigator Program

SITUATION: According to the US Census Bureau, more than 3,700,000 Floridians did not have health insurance in 2013. More than 8% of those uninsured individuals lived within our seven-county service area.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE: As the preferred partner for strategic and community-based planning in Northeast Florida, HPCNEF was awarded the Affordable Care Act Navigator Program from 2013 through 2026 to help the underinsured and uninsured members of our seven-county population acquire affordable health insurance. Our federally certified Covering Florida Navigators offered free guidance on health insurance and assistance with selecting a policy tailored to individual circumstances and needs. Navigators were required to provide targeted assistance to priority populations that are often affected by social determinants of health (SDOH), such as geographic location, gender, and sexual orientation, and by health-related social needs (HRSNs), including housing instability, food insecurity, and lack of employment, personal safety, or transportation. Also, Covering Florida Navigators focused their outreach on key underserved groups that have historically accounted for more than 20% of Marketplace enrollees, including racial and ethnic minorities, rural communities, LGBTQIA+ communities, refugees, immigrants, families with low income, pregnant and expectant parents, and those who lack transportation, internet access, or English-language proficiency. Additionally, for individuals for whom transportation or mobility present a challenge, Navigator assistance was available through the Navigator toll-free hotline. The goal of the program was to provide health insurance coverage to individuals to help with access to healthcare.

IMPACT:

• Conducted public education activities to raise awareness about the Health Insurance Marketplace®
• Assisted individuals to select a Qualified Healthcare Provider (QHP)
• Provided culturally and linguistically appropriate information to local populations, including individuals with limited English proficiency
• Provided special assistance to underserved and vulnerable populations (priority populations) that need health insurance