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 in 2013 to help the underinsured and uninsured members of our seven-county population acquire affordable health insurance. Our federally certified Covering Florida Navigators offer free guidance on health insurance and assistance with selecting a policy tailored to individual circumstances and needs. Navigators are 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 focus 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. Covering Florida Navigators reach individuals through their presence at numerous community events and designated locations throughout our Northeast Florida service area. Additionally, for individuals for whom transportation or mobility present a challenge, Navigator assistance is available through the Navigator toll-free hotline. The goal of the program is to provide health insurance coverage to individuals to help with access to healthcare.

IMPACT:

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

HPCNEF hosts the Northeast Florida Coalition for Access to Health Care (NEFCAH) quarterly meetings. The goal of the coalition is to ensure that local providers and other healthcare partners work collaboratively and identify local resources to address issues related to access to healthcare.