Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) has awarded contracts to five grantees representing 15 Vermont Health Connect Navigator organizations. Together, these organizations will ensure that Vermonters in every corner of the state have access to free in-person assistance if they need help understanding health insurance or signing up for a plan.
The contracts run from July 1, through next June 30. Navigators, together with Brokers and Certified Application Counselors, form Vermont Health Connect’s network of trained and certified Assisters. When combined with the health insurance marketplace’s online tools and toll-free Customer Support Center, these Assisters enable Vermonters to find help online, by phone, and in-person.
“Our Assisters play a vital role in terms of connecting Vermonters to quality health coverage and the financial help they need to pay for that coverage,” said DVHA Commissioner Steven Costantino. “They’ve been instrumental in cutting Vermont’s uninsured rate nearly in half over the last two years, and we expect that they’ll help us take another step toward coverage for all Vermonters in the year ahead.”
The organizations that are receiving grants to fund Navigator operations include:
· Chittenden Valley Office of Economic Opportunity*, Southeastern Vermont Community Action, Community Action in Southwest Vermont, Northeast Kingdom Community Action
Ø Serving the entire state except central Vermont.
· Vermont Coalition of Clinics for the Uninsured* through its member clinics: Bennington Free Clinic, Health Connections at Gifford, Open Door Clinic-Community Health Services of Addison County, People’s Health & Wellness Clinic in Barre, Putney Walk In Clinic, Valley Heath Connections in Springfield, Windsor Community Health Clinic
Ø Serving southern and central Vermont.
· Capstone
Ø Serving Lamoille, Washington and Orange counties.
· Community Health Centers of Burlington
Ø Serving Chittenden, Grand Isle and lower Franklin counties.
· Northeast Kingdom Chamber of Commerce* and Lamoille Chamber of Commerce
Ø Serving Essex, Orleans, Caledonia & Lamoille counties
Vermonters can find an Assister near them by using the directory or interactive map at http://info.healthconnect.vermont.gov/find or by calling 1-855-899-9600 (toll-free).
*Denotes the lead grantee on a partnership grant.