CMS announces $201 million in grants to support marketplace navigators

Eligible individuals and entities, including health care providers, may apply until June 15 for a portion of $201 million in grants to support navigators in federally-facilitated and state partnership marketplaces over three years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today. Letters of intent to apply are due June 3. According to CMS, the grants will be awarded in 12-month increments, with at least $600,000 available for the first 12-month period in each state with a federally facilitated or state partnership marketplace. Grantees will be required to submit a non-competing continuation application annually for continued funding. The Affordable Care Act established navigators to provide unbiased information to consumers about health insurance, the new health insurance marketplaces, qualified health plans, and public programs including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.