By ANNE PACKHAM

Central Florida residents who are planning to enroll for insurance through the Health Care Marketplace will have access to three times the number of licensed Navigators this year and more plan options than ever.

Covering Central Florida, navigators work for the Primary Care Access Network (PCAN), a 501c3 non-profit organization located in Orlando Florida. PCAN is a dynamic collaborative among Orange County Government, primary health care centers, community agencies, hospitals and other social services. PCAN’s mission is to improve the access, quality and coordination of health care services to the underinsured and uninsured populations of Orange County. PCAN represents our community’s “safety net” providers and other community organizations dedicated to improving access to care.

Navigators are certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), licensed by the State of Florida, and must pass a Federal Background Check.

Also new for this open enrollment period: the range of people qualified for financial assistance has been expanded to higher income levels.

The first recommended step in the process is contacting a Navigator at www.coveringcfl.net or 877-564-5031 to set up a free appointment. Open Enrollment is November 1, 2021, through January 15, 2022, and Navigators are available now to assist those seeking guidance on finding the right, most cost-effective plans. 

Making an appointment early in the enrollment period ensures quicker peace of mind.

Clients use words like prepared, personable and professional in describing their experience with Navigators.

Without the help of her Navigator, “my husband would never be able to receive the medical treatment that he will now be able to get,” wrote one woman of her experience.

Writes another: “She takes the stress and confusion right out of the system.”

Appointments are virtual (through Zoom) or in-person, and are confidential. There is no charge for the service. The Marketplace offers multiple insurance plans to give people solid choices in a one-stop shop approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing Great Resignation – people leaving their jobs in droves for self-employment or to seek jobs with more work/life balance – has sharpened the need for Marketplace insurance to cover a broader population. Whether a short or long-term solution, Navigators are equipped to assist in selecting a great plan.

Regardless of whether you have enrolled for insurance through the Marketplace in the past or this is your first time, tapping into the expertise of a licensed Navigator is highly recommended.

They will walk you through the complex level of plans, help you pick the right one with your needs and income in mind, work with you to understand the tax subsidies and guide you through the paperwork. Countless clients from across Florida have felt the relief of knowing they were in the hands of licensed, caring experts.

Anne Packham works for Primary Care Access Network (PCAN) and is the Project Director for health insurance Marketplace navigators in Central Florida. She and her team have worked tirelessly since 2013 to educate Central Floridians about health insurance options in order to increase access to care.

In addition to her work at PCAN, Ms. Packham has provided consulting services to the Health Council of East Central Florida, the Florida Alliance for Healthcare Value (formerly the Florida Healthcare Coalition) and taught at the University of Phoenix.

Visit www.coveringcfl.net