DES MOINES, IOWA (September 8, 2022) — The Iowa Navigator program has received funding to continue providing free assistance to Iowa residents who need assistance enrolling in health insurance. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced $98.9 million in grant funding nationwide for navigator organizations. Navigators help consumers determine eligibility, select plans, and prepare applications. Iowa Navigator, which assists uninsured Iowa residents with enrollment in Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), and Marketplace plans through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), is one of these grantees.
Last year, over 72,240 Iowans enrolled in Marketplace plans, and over 817,000 people in the state were enrolled in either Medicaid or CHIP. Still, there are a lot of Iowans who are going without health insurance. According to United Health Foundation, approximately 5% of Iowa’s residents lack health-insurance coverage.
As part of the American Rescue Plan, new rules greatly expanded subsidies and lowered monthly ACA premiums to their most affordable level yet. Last year, 89% of Iowan applicants qualified for financial help in obtaining health-care coverage, with many qualifying for plans at less than $10 per month. Most high-income earners are also now able to qualify for lower-cost plans. The recently-passed Inflation Reduction Act ensures that those subsidies will be available through 2025.
Jeremy Smith, program director for Iowa Navigator, says getting help signing up is essential. Many people are overwhelmed by the options or may not realize how to shop for affordable-health coverage. He also cautioned, “Around this time of year, we see many scams pop up. People start receiving unsolicited telephone calls or they click on ads for programs that claim to provide cheap insurance, but many don’t meet the high standards of the ACA, so when you’re sick and need it most, you may not be covered. Some aren’t insurance plans at all but are schemes to obtain personal information. It’s crucial to talk to a reputable organization.”
Although most enroll in plans during Marketplace Open Enrollment, which starts November 1, 2022, and ends January 15, 2023, several exceptions make people eligible for a Special Enrollment Period throughout the year. Iowa Navigator can help determine if you are eligible for this.
Anyone in Iowa can call 515-978-9570 to get free enrollment assistance. Consultations are available over the telephone or through a telehealth option, allowing callers to see their application completed in real-time. There is no charge for enrollment assistance. More information is available at www.acanavigator.com.
