Massachusetts Health Connector selects 18 organizations as Navigators, with more than 100 individuals ready to provide health insurance enrollment assistance
10 Navigator agencies to provide expanded access to support during COVID-19 pandemic October 22, 2020 – Recognizing the need for expert assistance is higher than ever, the Massachusetts Health Connector has 18 community-based Navigator organizations ready to provide health insurance enrollment help to residents, including 10 with newly-expanded capacity to provide additional support during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the 18 Navigator organizations and 100 people working as Navigators, this is the largest Navigator program in Massachusetts since its inception for 2014 Open Enrollment as part of the Affordable Care Act. Navigators traditionally provide direct, in-person assistance to residents in their communities who need help accessing Health Connector coverage. As the Health Connector enters Open Enrollment for 2021, many Navigators will be providing virtual assistance to supplement more limited in-person help due to COVID-19. “Having access to knowledgeable, experienced help is more important than ever for people who need Health Connector coverage going into 2021,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Connector. “Our Navigators have substantial impact, helping thousands of Health Connector members and new applicants every year, and their services are all the more necessary amid this year’s pandemic challenge. They are here to deliver quality, affordable health coverage to the people they serve.” During Open Enrollment, anyone without health insurance can enroll into coverage for 2021. This includes people who may have lost their job and work-based health insurance in 2020 and have been without coverage. Additionally, people who may have enrolled in COBRA coverage [...]