American Hospital Association Supports Healthcare Navigators for Patient Financial Aid
TL/DR –
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has expressed its support for healthcare navigators, professionals who assist patients in accessing financial assistance for health services. The AHA believes that these navigators can be instrumental in helping patients access available financial assistance, especially given the shortcomings of health insurance coverage for many Americans. The AHA has also urged navigators and assisters to expand their counseling services to help patients enroll in plans with affordable deductibles and cost-sharing requirements.
American Hospital Association Backs Healthcare Navigators
In a recent letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the American Hospital Association (AHA) expressed support for healthcare navigators. These professionals play a critical role in guiding patients through the complex financial assistance programs intended to cover healthcare costs.
Healthcare navigators, according to the AHA letter, are increasingly valuable due to the gaps in health insurance coverage for many Americans. High out-of-pocket costs coupled with the financial vulnerability of patients seeking care intensify the need for navigators.
The Impact of Healthcare Navigators
The AHA cited a report that indicates patients often hesitate to seek financial assistance, either doubting their qualification or fearing the information required for the application process. This hesitation leads to eligible patients not receiving financial assistance, thereby adding an administrative burden to an already strained healthcare workforce.
The AHA also highlighted that financial assistance programs were initially designed for uninsured patients, not those needing help plugging coverage gaps. Thus, navigators, who already serve as trusted community resources, are ideally placed to reach patients otherwise unable to access financial assistance.
The AHA urged navigators to expand their enrollment counseling and help patients register for plans with affordable deductible and cost-sharing requirements suited to the patient’s financial resources.
The Larger Trend and Role of Navigators
Navigators provide free help to individuals exploring health coverage options via HealthCare.gov, covering all aspects from reviewing available plans to assisting with eligibility and enrollment forms. They also assist with post-enrollment services, such as ensuring coverage utilization for care, and aid in Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage enrollment or renewal.
In the 2024 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period, about 21.4 million people chose plans through HealthCare.gov and state-based marketplaces, including with navigator assistance, as reported by CMS.
Earlier, the White House granted $100 million to organizations deemed crucial for helping underserved communities, consumers, and small businesses enroll in Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage. These grants, awarded ahead of this year’s Marketplace Open Enrollment, are part of a pledge of up to $500 million over five years.
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