Subject:
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Notice of grant award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for year three of the 2015 to 2018 Navigator Grant Program.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approve the non-competing grant award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the third and final budget-period (2017-2018) of the Navigator Grant Program.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.2 Be a facilitator, convener and purchaser of services for those in need
Deliver First Class Services to the Public and Our Customers
5.1 Maximize partner relationships and public outreach
5.2 Be responsible stewards of the public’s resources
Summary:
With this third-year grant funding, the County will continue to provide navigational services to individuals and families seeking assistance with enrollment into the federal health care marketplace or other qualifying plans. While other grantees nationwide did not receive full funding, Pinellas County did receive the full funding amount requested, $580,000.00, as the County met the goals identified in our Year 2 grant application.
The County Administrator approved the grant application on June 20, 2017.
Background Information:
In 2015, Human Services received and accepted a three-year competitive grant award (2015-2018) from CMS to support Navigators in federally facilitated and state partnership exchanges. Human Services utilized the funds to provide outreach and education to thousands of citizens, and provided navigational services to nearly 5,000 individuals and families seeking assistance with enrollment into the federal marketplace or other qualifying plans.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2017 plan selections by zip codes in the marketplace from November 1, 2016 through February 9, 2017, 66,743 individuals enrolled into a health plan in the County. This represents a 0.8% increase in enrollments over the total 2016 plan selections by zip codes in the marketplace of 66,271 individuals in the County. Florida remains one of the largest states with a high concentration of uninsured individuals.
Under the new multi-year funding structure, the 36-month project period is funded in 12-month increments known as budget periods. As outlined in the 2015 Navigator Funding Opportunity Announcement, grantees will be required to submit a non-competing continuation application every 12 months for continued funding of their award during the 36-month period. For the third year, the County was notified that $580,000.00 from the State of Florida was available for the County during the third budget period.
With third year funding, Navigators will continue assisting clients with (re)enrollment, outreach, and education services in the community. By assisting residents in the enrollment process, the County is proactively working to reduce the number of uninsured residents, creating a healthier community and providing more access to care.
Fiscal Impact:
Grant award of federal funding in the amount of $580,000.00. No County match is required. This is included in the Human Services Fiscal Year 2018 Tentative Budget.
Staff Member Responsible:
Lourdes Benedict, Director
Partners:
County Libraries
Neighborhood Community Centers
Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
Attachments:
Notice of Award
Final Submitted Application