JEFFERSON CITY — New federal grants are available to help consumers navigate the Health Insurance Marketplace, and Sen. Joseph Keaveny, D-St. Louis, urges citizens who currently do not have health care insurance or those in the process of searching for new health care coverage in the St. Louis area to visit HealthCare.gov and learn as much as they can to prepare them for enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace.

The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Department recently announced $67 million in grant awards to 105 navigators in federally facilitated and state partnership marketplaces.  These navigators will serve as an in-person resource for Missourians who want assistance in shopping for and enrolling in plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace this fall. 

Primaris Healthcare Business Solutions (Columbia, Mo.), which will lead a coalition of 11 Missouri health care and social services organizations in their effort to raise awareness of the coverage options available to Missourians, and Missouri Alliance of Area Agencies on Aging (Springfield, Mo.), which has been the leading voice for older adult services, information and advocacy in Missouri since 1973, each received federal grants from HHS awarded in the amounts of $1,045,624 and $750,000, respectively.
 
“This is the first time in our state’s — our country’s — history where consumers can visit one website to examine their coverage options, receive accurate and easy-to-understand information, and make apples-to-apples comparisons regarding health care plans before they make their decision,” said Sen. Keaveny.  “All health care plans offered through the marketplace are required to cover a comprehensive set of benefits, including physician visits, preventive care, hospital stays, and prescriptions.  The Health Insurance Marketplace will offer Missourians lower costs on their monthly premiums, making more affordable coverage a reachable goal for many hard-working citizens and their families in our state.”

More than 1,200 community health centers across the United States are available to help enroll uninsured citizens in coverage.  A partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services will help various local libraries serve as a resource for consumers who want to understand their options.  In addition, HHS is conducting personnel assistance for agent, brokers, and certified application counselor positions.

“When the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law three years ago, it carried with it a promise of expanding access to quality, affordable health coverage for thousands of Missouri families and small businesses in our state,” said Sen. Keaveny.  “The ACA is already fulfilling its promise by providing eight out of 10 Americans with better health care coverage, such as free wellness and prevention care like mammograms and cancer screenings.  And thanks to the ACA, three million children and young adults who didn’t have coverage before can remain on their parents’ health care plans until they are 26.  This law also makes health coverage stronger for those individuals who already are insured.  Our focus now moves to those in our state without health insurance, who now have an easy and affordable way to gain this important coverage.”

Missourians can learn about and enroll in health care coverage starting Oct. 1 through HealthCare.gov.  A toll-free call center is also available to help answer questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.