CMS Announces New Funding for Navigators

The federal administration is continuing its robust investment in Navigators, who help people across the country – especially in underserved communities – sign up for health care coverage, by announcing today the availability of $500 million in grants over the next five years. Navigators have been incredibly effective, helping contribute to the record-breaking number of people – 21.4 million – who signed up for health care coverage through the Marketplaces during the 2024 Open Enrollment Period.

The Navigators’ effectiveness is demonstrated by how many people in underserved communities have signed up for Marketplace coverage in 2024:

• Twenty-two percent of enrollees who report their race/ethnicity are Latino. If the percentage is the same among those not reporting, the estimated number of Latino Americans with Marketplace coverage in 2024 would be approximately five million.
• Nine percent of enrollees who report their race/ethnicity are Black. If the percentage is the same among those not reporting, the estimated number of Black Americans with Marketplace coverage in 2024 would be almost two million.
• About 12 percent of enrollees who report their race/ethnicity are AANHPI. If the percentage is the same among those not reporting, the estimated number of AANHPI Americans with Marketplace coverage in 2024 would be over 5 million.
• One percent of enrollees who report their race/ethnicity are AI/AN. If the percentage is the same among those not reporting, the estimated number of AI/AN Americans with Marketplace coverage in 2024 would be 200,000.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expects to award a total of $500 million over the five-year period of performance, provided in five budget periods of 12 months each. For the first 12-month budget period, to be awarded this fall, $100 million is available, the largest investment in the Navigator program to date.

Web Links

• 2024 Navigator Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/349642
• 2024 Navigator NOFO Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Applicants: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/2024-navigator-nofo-faqs-applicants.pdf
• Resources for Navigator Applicants: https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/in-person-assisters/programs-procedures/in-person-assistance#Additional_Resources_for_Navigator_Applicants
• CMS Newsroom: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-releases-data-showing-historic-gains-health-care-coverage-minority

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