Cooperative Agreement to Support Navigators in Federally-facilitated Exchanges

Background
The Cooperative Agreement to Support Navigators in Federally-facilitated Exchanges (Funding Opportunity) will enable recipients to operate as Exchange Navigators in States with a Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM) for benefit years 2022 through 2024. Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) makes grant awards to organizations who serve as Navigators in FFE states. Navigators help consumers prepare applications to establish eligibility and enroll in coverage through the Exchanges, and help determine whether consumers potentially qualify for insurance affordability programs. They also provide outreach and education to raise awareness about the Exchanges.

Grant Details
Entities or individuals eligible to apply for funding through this Funding Opportunity must be capable of carrying out, at a minimum, all Navigator duties required by the ACA and HHS regulations. The primary regulations that establish requirements for awardees under this Funding Opportunity are 45 C.F.R. §§ 155.210 and 155.215.

These regulations establish duties that are required of all recipients of funding under this Funding Opportunity, including, but not limited to:
- Conducting public education activities to raise awareness about the Exchange
- Facilitating selection of a QHP
- Providing information in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate to the needs of the population served by the Exchange
- Providing referrals to any applicable office of health insurance consumer assistance or health insurance ombudsman
- Complying with applicable training and conflict of interest standards
- Obtaining the authorization of applicants for coverage available through an Exchange prior to accessing their personally identifiable information
- Providing targeted assistance to serve underserved or vulnerable populations.

Eligibility Requirements
The Cooperative Agreement is open to eligible entities and individuals applying to serve consumers in states with an FFE. Entities and individuals cannot serve as federally certified Navigators without receiving federal cooperative agreement funding to perform Navigator duties.

Period of Performance
The anticipated Period of Performance is 36 months from the date of initial award with 12-month budget periods.

Grant Value
HHS expects to award up to $240,000,000 over the 36-month period of performance and up to $80,000,000 during the first 12-month budget period of this multi-year award, pending availability of funds.