Are you confused about medical care and its jumble of coverage, claims and co-pays?
The USF College of Public Health (COPH) understands and can guide people through the maze that is America’s health care system. How? The college has received a major federal grant to educate and enroll Florida citizens for insurance under the Affordable Care Act, through the Health Insurance Marketplace and other qualified health plans such Medicaid and CHIP.
The Navigator Award of $13,792,500 will be used in all 67 Florida counties to assist people in signing up for and making decisions about the future of their health − with the help of COPH Navigators and its Covering Florida Navigator Program across the state. Given by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), it was the largest such award in the country.
The significance for people who need assistance is having someone who can offer them free and unbiased support in understanding the health insurance marketplace and how to navigate the health care system,’’ said Dr. Xonjenese Jacobs, director of Florida Covering Kids & Families (FLCKF) at USF.
Dr. Xonjenese Jacobs is the director of Florida Covering Kids & Families (Photo courtesy of Jacobs)
FLCKF has been deeply involved in USF’s Navigator awards for more than a decade. A community and consumer-focused nonprofit initiative housed within the COPH, it leads a consortium of partner organizations who are dedicated to supporting Florida consumers through what is called the Covering Florida navigator program.
Partners include Big Bend Area Health Education Center, Florida Association of Community Health Center, Family Healthcare Foundation, Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida, Health Planning Council of Southeast Florida, Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, Primary Care Access Network, Suwannee River Area Health Education Center, University of Miami Health System and West Florida Area Health Education Center.
On Aug. 26, the Biden-Harris Administration awarded a new round of $100 million to organizations vital to helping underserved communities, consumers and small businesses find and enroll in quality, affordable health coverage. Florida received the largest award of any state because of its reach to people in all of its counties, as well as its relatively large population of 23 million people. About 2.5 million Floridians have no insurance.
FLCKF responds to Medicaid Unwinding by preparing mailing materials. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Xonjenese Jacobs)
“As a project, we’ve been covering all 67 counties for more than 10 years, and this award provides us an opportunity to expand our workforce and engage in meaningful partnerships to best reach consumers’’ Jacobs said. “Because we serve all Florida counties with a multidisciplinary approach, we were awarded the entire amount for the state.’’
This broad reach has made a significant impact on statewide health outcomes, Jacobs added, and demonstrates the value of coordinated community efforts. The navigators begin with priority populations to include but not limited to Floridians experiencing Medicaid redetermination; Black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC); the LGBTQ+ community; people with substance use disorders; refugees, asylum seekers, migrants and pregnant women; and people with disabilities.
Over the last decade, the program has involved more than 1,100 organizations across the state, making sure navigator services are comprehensive, culturally competent and tailored to the unique needs of individuals.
“One of the biggest things we do is health education, outreach and enrollment,’ Jacobs said. “We help people understand that health insurance is available right there in their own communities. We make sure people understand what a deductible means, what a co-pay and out-of-pocket expenses are and how to have access to primary care.’’
For more information, visit www.coveringflorida.org or call (877) 813-9115 to discuss insurance needs with a navigator.