The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is making approximately $2.3 million in additional funding available to current Navigator grantees in Federally-facilitated Marketplace (FFM) states to support the outreach, education and enrollment efforts around the 2021 Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that runs through May 15, 2021. The 30 organizations eligible to receive these funds work across 28 FFM states to help consumers access financial assistance through HealthCare.gov, complete their applications, and enroll in coverage through the Marketplace, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

“President Biden has made clear that every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care. Navigators help Americans understand their health insurance options, connecting consumers with financial help, and help them enroll in Marketplace plans, Medicaid, or CHIP,” said Jeff Wu, CMS Acting Deputy Administrator. “During a public health emergency, it is critical for consumers to have access assistance with finding affordable, comprehensive health coverage that best fits their needs.”

Navigators play a key role in reaching underserved communities that historically have experienced lower access to health coverage and greater disparities in health outcomes. Their mission focuses on assisting the uninsured and other vulnerable communities. The additional resources announced today will provide vital support and resources to these communities.

Navigator organizations can determine how best to utilize the additional funding made available by CMS based on their previously approved plans and current needs. CMS will review all updated plans and budget documentation that outline how Navigators plan to use the additional funding to enhance their previously approved program operations for the remainder of the 2020-2021 budget period.

CMS will invest in the future of the Navigator program this year, and plans to increase funding significantly for the upcoming 2021 Navigator Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) grants to facilitate a robust applicant pool and increase access to assistance for consumers in the future.

CMS plans to publish the NOFO this spring to allow sufficient time to award a new round of Navigator grants in advance of Open Enrollment for the 2022 plan year. The current 2020 Navigator grant awards run through August 29, 2021.

For a list of current CMS Navigator grantees, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Programs-and-Initiatives/Health-Insurance-Marketplaces/Downloads/2020-Navigator-Grant-Recipients.pdf

To view the Upper Limits for 2020 Navigator Supplemental Funding Allocations, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/upper-limits-2021-navigator-supplemental-funding-allocations.pdf

As COVID-19 vaccines begin rolling out across the country, CMS is taking action to protect the health and safety of our nation’s patients and providers and keeping you updated on the latest COVID-19 resources from HHS, CDC and CMS.

With information coming from many different sources, CMS has compiled resources and materials to help you share important and relevant information on the COVID-19 vaccine with the people that you serve. You can find these and more resources on the COVID-19 Partner Resources Page and the HHS COVID Education Campaign page. We look forward to partnering with you to promote vaccine safety and encourage our beneficiaries to get vaccinated when they have the opportunity.

Promoting COVID-19 Vaccines in Your Community

CDC has designed a COVID-19 vaccine toolkit to help your organization educate community members about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns. It is full of free digital resources, templates, posters and ideas for how to work within your community to help promote the COVID vaccine.

HOW CAN YOU GET STARTED?

Know the COVID-19 Vaccine Resources that are Available to You

• The COVID-19 Vaccines Factsheet is in plain language with information on COVID-19 vaccines. This fact sheet is available in multiple languages:  Arabic | Spanish | Korean | Russian | Simplified Chinese | Tagalog | Traditional Chinese | Vietnamese

• Vaccine Promotion Posters are available to encourage your community to get a COVID-19 vaccine. There are poster options for different audiences including long-term care facility workers, long-term care facility residents, and essential workers such as public safety workers, first responders, farmers and others. All of the vaccine promotion posters are also available in Spanish.
• A COVID-19 Vaccinations Social Media Toolkit is available with sample Social Media messages and images for use on various social media channels that your organization uses, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. You can use them as-is with the hashtag #SleeveUp or include your own identity.
• A COVID-19 Vaccine Powerpoint Presentation is available for webinars, conferences and other events. The presentation is also available in Spanish.
• Drop-in COVID-19 vaccine language may be used for e-newsletters, listserv announcements or other types of media.
• Printable Stickers can be used for staff to handout to people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Some stickers are also available in Spanish.Widgets can be placed on your organization’s website to enhance access to up to date information on COVID-19 vaccines.

Use the COVID-19 Resources to Share your Messages

• Adapt the key messages to the language, tone, and format that will resonate with your community. You know what works in your community.
• Customize this template letter and send or email it to your community members to introduce your COVID-19 vaccine educational activities.
• Print copies of the posters and use them as handouts or to hang in highly visible places in your community.
• Organize a COVID-19 vaccine presentation for your community members and promote it via digital and community communication channels. If your community has internet access, organize a virtual presentation. If it does not, organize an in-person presentation following COVID-19 safety precautions. Ask if your local health department can provide a speaker if you do not have a health educator on staff.
• Continue to educate your community via articles, blog posts, and CDC social media posts or retweet and share CMS Medicare social media messages on Twitter and Facebook.
• Invite community members to wear stickers once they have been vaccinated and post vaccination selfies on social media.

Communicate with Your Community

• Send an introductory letter to encourage your branches, chapters, or affiliates to review and use the toolkit materials, or a letter to members of your organization.
• Drop the newsletter content into your e-newsletters or listservs to distributed and share information widely on COVID-19 vaccines.
• Use the COVID-19 Vaccine Basic slide deck for virtual town halls or other informational meetings within your communities. You can use all or part of the set or also include your own organization’s information. Slides are also available in Spanish.
• Share these key messages about COVID-19 vaccine to educate your communities. These key messages are also available in a printable PDF version.
• Use the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help answer questions about COVID-19 vaccine in your communities. FAQs also available in a printable PDF version.
• Share credible and accurate COVID-19 vaccine information from the Myths & Facts page.
• Encourage your community members who are vaccinated to enroll in v-safe an after vaccination health checker.

Questions? Please e-mail us: Partnership@cms.hhs.gov