Chief Patron: Willett
Insurance Navigators for Free Clinics
Item 302 #6h
Item 302 #6h | First Year - FY2021 | Second Year - FY2022 | |
| Health and Human Resources |
| Department of Health | FY2021 $200,000 | FY2022 $200,000 | GF |
Language
Page 285, line 18, strike "$289,713,047" and insert "$289,913,047".
Page 285, line 18, strike "$291,021,732" and insert "$291,221,732".
Page 285, after line 38, insert:
"Out of this appropriation, $200,000 each year from the general fund is provided to hire navigators trained in the Medicaid and the health insurance marketplace programs to educate and to assist in enrolling free clinic patients into Medicaid or a Marketplace plan when through the clinic's eligibility screening process, the patient is deemed eligible for one of the two programs."
Explanation
(This amendment provides $200,000 each year from the general fund is provided to the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to hire navigators trained in the Medicaid and the health insurance marketplace programs to educate and to assist in enrolling free clinic patients into Medicaid or a Marketplace plan when through the clinic's eligibility screening process, the patient is deemed eligible for one of the two programs. The additional funds will allow the clinics to hire navigators who can help patients with limited English proficiency, low literacy or a disability, and those who are non-citizens or have complex family or income situations to access healthcare coverage. Of the estimated remaining 100,000 Virginians who are believed to be eligible for Medicaid, it is likely many seek care at a free and charitable clinic. Having a navigator on staff at the clinic will help ensure these hard to reach patients will be captured and enrolled when seeking care. Data collected by free clinics that participated in a year-long pilot program at four clinics showed 1,900 free clinic patients completed 530 applications to enroll in the Medicaid or the health insurance marketplace programs. This funding will enable at least 8 to 10 clinics to have onsite navigators who can enroll more patients.)