On April 9, the Centers for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) announced a funding opportunity for the Navigators in the Federally Facilitated Exchange and State Partnership Marketplace. Navigators are individuals or entities who will provide consumers with unbiased information about health insurance, the new Health Insurance Marketplace, qualified health plans, and public programs including Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Those individuals and entities interested in applying for the grants should submit a Letter of Intent to CCIIO by May 1, 2013 and applications are due June 7, 2013. Grants awards are expected to be announced in August.

To view the announcement, visit grants.gov and search CFDA number 93.750.  CCIIO will hold two technical assistance calls for interested parties on April 11, 2013 and April 19, 2013.  Call in information for these calls is as follows:

First call: Thursday, April 11, 2013 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. EDT

Toll-free teleconference phone number: 877-267-1577; ID: 5119

 Second call: Friday, April 19, 2013 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. EDT

Toll-free teleconference phone number: 877-267-1577; ID: 2917

In addition to this funding announcement, CCIIO also released a proposed rule on a number of outstanding issues in the Navigator Program. We are currently reviewing this proposed rule and will be sharing any comments we will be submitting with health centers and PCAs.

Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions on this new funding opportunity, the proposed rule, or any other issues surrounding navigators.