Yesterday, CMS released its Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the open enrollment period for health plans for 2020 – the seventh open enrollment period (OE7). As was the case last year, funding available this year is significantly lower than the funding levels in the first five years. The CMS announcement can be found below. To learn more you can also check out the CMS Overview on Applying and CMS’s FAQ sheet. Applications are due July 22nd.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Issues a Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Federally-facilitated Exchange Navigator Program
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Federally-facilitated Exchange (FFE) Navigator Program, today, that funds Navigator Organizations to provide in-person, enrollment assistance for individuals seeking health coverage.
The NOFO announces the same $10 million annual level of funding as last year. The announcement also expands the period of performance from one year to two years in order to promote stability in the program and improve the consumer experience. The total available funding for the first 12-month budget period will be allocated among the 34 FFE states based on the size of the remaining, eligible uninsured population in each FFE state. A minimum of $100,000 will be available to each eligible state.
Changes in the 2020 Payment Notice also created new flexibility for the Navigator Program. Certain types of assistance, including post-enrollment duties, for FFE Navigators are now permissible, but not required. This change will provide grantees with more flexibility and allow them to allocate their grant funding based on the unique needs of their community.
As required in previous years, under the Terms and Conditions of cooperative agreements awarded under this NOFO, funding for the second 12-month budget period will be contingent on the awardee continuing to meet all Navigator program requirements, current program priorities, and the availability of funds.
To view the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), please visit: http://www.grants.gov, and search for CFDA # 93.332.
