RALEIGH, September 2, 2015 – The NC Navigator Consortium, a group of 14 health care, social service and legal aid organizations, has been awarded $2,610,472 in federal funding to help North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable health insurance plans through the Affordable Care Act during the 2015-2016 open-enrollment period, the second-largest grant in the country for this period.

The grant was announced today by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The announcement is available on the Centers’ website, www.cms.gov.

Legal Aid of North Carolina, a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to low-income North Carolinians, is the leader of the consortium and will administer the grant.

The grant will fund a corps of about 250 navigators, who are trained to help consumers understand the details of plans available on the Health Insurance Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov, determine which plan will best meet the needs of their family, apply for financial assistance, and complete the enrollment process.

Of the more than 492,000 North Carolinians who enrolled in a health insurance plan under the Affordable Care Act, 93 percent receive​d financial assistance. The average cost of insurance for North Carolinians receiving financial assistance is $95 a month.

Navigators meet with consumers in free, in-person, one-on-one, confidential sessions at convenient locations throughout the state. Strict security and privacy standards are in place to ensure that consumers’ personally identifiable information is protected.

The consortium will focus its efforts during this open-enrollment period, the third since the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace launched in 2013, on outreach to Hispanics; persons with limited English proficiency, including recent immigrants and refugees; populations underserved in the health insurance marketplace, especially rural communities; individuals with disabilities; young adults and those leaving post-secondary educational institutions; and LGBT populations.

The 2015-2016 open-enrollment period runs from Nov. 1, 2015, to Jan. 31, 2016. Plans must be selected by Dec. 15, 2015, for coverage to begin Jan. 1, 2016. Navigators are available to answer consumers’ questions throughout the year. Consumers who have questions about health insurance should call the toll-free navigator helpline at 1-855-733-3711 or visit GetCoveredAmerica.org/Connector to schedule an in-person appointment with a navigator.

Consumers currently enrolled in a Marketplace plan will be automatically re-enrolled unless they choose a new plan. The NC Navigator Consortium urges consumers to seek in-person assistance before automatically re-enrolling. Prices and options change each year, and a navigator can help consumers feel confident they are in the best plan for their family and are receiving the right financial help.

Consumers without health insurance at the end of the open-enrollment period may be subject to a fine on their 2015 tax return. This year, the fine is increasing from $325 per person to $695 per person, or 2.5 percent of the consumer’s income, whichever is greater. Some consumers may be eligible to have the fine waived. Navigators can help consumers apply for waivers.

Thanks in part to the efforts of the consortium, North Carolina has the third-highest number of enrollments out of the nearly 40 states that use HealthCare.gov. Only Florida and Texas, states with more than double the population of North Carolina, have more enrollments.

Members of the consortium are Access East, Capital Care Collaborative, Cape Fear HealthNet, Care Ring, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Cumberland HealthNet, HealthCare Access, HealthNet Gaston, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, MDC, Partnership for Community Care, Pisgah Legal Services and United Way of Greater Greensboro.

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The NC Navigator Consortium is a group of 14 health care, social service, and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. The consortium is led by Legal Aid of North Carolina, a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal aid to low-income North Carolinians.

Media Contacts: Legal Aid of North Carolina

• Sean Driscoll, Director of Public Relations, 919-856-2132
• Jennifer Simmons, Navigator Project Director, 919-863-1443

Media Contacts: Consortium Members

• Access East: Frank Rabey, 252-847-0069, Greenville
• Capital Care Collaborative: Tara Robinson, 919-792-3622, , Raleigh
• Cape Fear HealthNet: Debra Robinson, 910-399-2751 x304, Wilmington
• Care Ring: Simone McDowell, 704-248-3728, Charlotte
• Council on Aging of Buncombe County: John Wingerter, 828-277-8288, Asheville
• HealthNet Gaston: Donna Elliott, 704-619-3667, Gastonia
• Legal Services of Southern Piedmont: Madison Hardee, 704-971-2607, Charlotte
• MDC: Scott Edmonds, 919-381-5843, Durham
• Pisgah Legal Services: Shannon Cornelius, 828-210-3439, Asheville

RALEIGH, June 29, 2015 – The nearly half-million North Carolinians who are receiving health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act will continue to do so following Thursday’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The court’s ruling in the case of King v. Burwell rejected a challenge to the health care law that sought to eliminate subsidies for residents of certain states, including North Carolina, which did not set up their own state-based “exchange” – an online marketplace for insurance plans – and instead relied on the federal exchange at www.HealthCare.gov.

“We want everyone to know that nothing has changed, and that we are here to provide free, expert help if people have questions about the Marketplace,” said Jennifer Simmons, an attorney with Legal Aid of North Carolina in Raleigh, who heads up the North Carolina Navigator Consortium, a coalition of Affordable Care Act navigators that helps consumers enroll in health insurance plans.

“If you’ve been getting subsidies, you will continue to get them, and you should continue to pay your premiums just as you’ve been doing,” Simmons said. “Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court upheld the status quo – nothing will change for you.”

Legal Aid of North Carolina and the other organizations of the NC Navigator Consortium have received federal funding since 2013 to train and deploy a corps of health care navigators who work one-on-one with consumers to help them understand the financial help that is available and enroll in affordable health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act.

“Health insurance can be complicated, especially for people who’ve never had it,” Simmons said. “In North Carolina, consumers can get free, expert help by calling 1-855-733-3711, so they can make the best decision about health coverage for themselves and their families.”

More information about the Supreme Court’s decision is available at www.healthcare.gov/decision.

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Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in order to ensure equal access to justice and remove legal barriers to economic opportunity. To learn more, visit www.legalaidnc.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

The North Carolina Navigator Consortium is a coalition of 15 organizations providing free, in-person expert help to North Carolina consumers seeking to enroll in affordable health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act.

Media Contacts

• Jennifer Simmons, Navigator Director, Legal Aid of N.C., 919-863-1443
• Madison Hardee (Charlotte), Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, 704-971-2607
• Simone McDowell (Charlotte), Care Ring, 704-248-3720
• Jaclyn Kiger (Asheville), Pisgah Legal Services, 828-253-0406
• Ralph Gildehaus (Durham), MDC, Inc., 919-381-5834
• Donna Elliott (Gastonia), HealthNet Gaston, 704-874-1952​
• MaryAnne Squire (Winston-Salem), HealthCare Access, 336-723-6565

ACA enrollment ends Friday. Free enrollment events near you. Visit NCNavigator.net or call 1-855-733-3711 for help.

RALEIGH · DEC 13, 2017 – “We are here to tell you that there is still time for North Carolinians to sign up for the Affordable Care Act,” Gov. Roy Cooper said at a free enrollment event today in Raleigh. “You have until midnight on Friday, December the 15th to get online and insure your families.”

“Now is the time to do it,” he said.

Today’s event, hosted by Alliance Medical Ministry, is one of many being held around the state this week. Enrollment events give consumers a chance to get free, in-person help from expert navigators who are trained to help consumers understand the ins and outs of enrolling on HealthCare.gov, the federal Health Insurance Marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act.

The free enrollment events are being sponsored by the NC Navigator Consortium, the largest navigator group in North Carolina. A full list of events is attached to this release (see below) and available on NCNavigator.net (scroll down to Enrollment Events).

All enrollment events are completely free and open to the public. Walk-in appointments are available on a first-come-first-served basis, but consumers are encouraged to schedule appointments by calling 1-855-733-3711 (toll-free) or using the online Get Covered Connector. Consumers can also schedule appointments outside of enrollment events.

“We’re here at the last minute, don’t delay any longer,” Jennifer Simmons, director of the NC Navigator Consortium, said at today’s event. “Help is here if you need it,” she said. “There are assisters across the state of North Carolina that are available and would love to help you complete your enrollment.”

Consumers can also enroll on their own by visiting HealthCare.gov or by contacting the HealthCare.gov call center at 1-800-318-2596 (toll-free).

Here are some important facts for consumers to know:

• The Affordable Care Act is still the law, and Americans must be enrolled in health insurance in 2018 to avoid paying a fine of $695 per uninsured adult, or 2.5% of household income (whichever is greater).
• Financial help to help consumers pay their monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs – copays and deductibles – are still available. Nine in 10 North Carolinians who enrolled in the last open enrollment period received some financial help to cover their premium costs.
• Consumer subsidies go up or down along with premium rates, so most consumers should not feel the premium increase in their wallet.
• Consumers who already have Marketplace coverage should come back to review the new plans available for 2018, rather than automatically re-enrolling. New plans and prices are available, so consumers should make sure they are enrolled in the best plan for their family’s medical needs and budget.

All plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace cover comprehensive care, including doctor’s visits, prescription drugs, emergency services, hospitalization, preventive and rehabilitative care, and more.

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About the NC Navigator Consortium
The NC Navigator Consortium is a group of 12 health care, social service and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act. Members of the consortium are Access East, Capital Care Collaborative, Care Ring, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Cumberland HealthNet, HealthCare Access, HealthNet Gaston, MDC, Partnership for Community Care, and Pisgah Legal Services. The consortium is led by Legal Aid of North Carolina. Learn more at NCNavigator.net.

Media Contacts
Sean Driscoll, 919-856-2132, Director of Public Relations, Legal Aid of North Carolina, seand@legalaidnc.org

Consumers can call 1-855-733-3711 (toll-free) or visit ncnavigator.net to schedule a free, confidential, in-person appointment with a certified navigator near them

RALEIGH · November 1, 2018 – NC navigators are here to help North Carolinians enroll in affordable, comprehensive health insurance plans on HealthCare.gov during the Affordable Care Act’s sixth open-enrollment period, which starts today and runs through Dec. 15, 2018.

Throughout open enrollment, North Carolina consumers can call 1-855-733-3711 (toll-free) or visit ncnavigator.net to schedule a free, confidential, in-person appointment with a certified NC navigator in their area.

NC navigators are trained to help consumers enroll in coverage on the Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov, the online storefront that consumers can visit to browse and enroll in affordable, comprehensive health insurance plans.

NC navigators can help consumers understand the details of the plans available on HealthCare.gov, complete the enrollment process and determine their eligibility for financial assistance. Last year, nine in 10 North Carolinians who enrolled in coverage on HealthCare.gov received financial assistance.

During this open enrollment period, NC navigators will help consumers understand the differences between the comprehensive plans available on HealthCare.gov and the new alternative plans, known as short-term, limited-duration (STLD) insurance, or association plans, which provide less coverage and patient protections than HealthCare.gov plans.

Every insurance plan available on HealthCare.gov provides comprehensive, year-round coverage that includes essential benefits like prescription drugs, hospital visits, mental health care, maternity care, doctor visits and more. HealthCare.gov plans also include important patient protections, including one that prohibits insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. HealthCare.gov plans automatically renew every year, so consumers do not experience gaps in coverage.

The alternative plans, which are not available on HealthCare.gov, do not necessarily provide year-round coverage; do not have to cover essential health benefits like prescription drugs, hospital visits, mental health care, maternity care and doctor visits; allow insurers to deny coverage for pre-existing conditions; and do not automatically renew, which could leave consumers with gaps in coverage.

“HealthCare.gov is the only place to get quality, affordable health insurance that covers everything you need,” Mark Van Arnam, co-director of the NC Navigator Consortium, said. “Navigators are here to help North Carolinians understand all their options and find the plan that best meets their needs and fits their budget.”

“We want consumers to know that financial assistance is still available,” Eunice Lee-Ahn, co-director of the Consortium, said. “Most North Carolinians enrolled in a HealthCare.gov plan get financial help that lowers their monthly cost to about the same as a cell phone. Navigators can help consumers determine if they are eligible for financial assistance and sign up for it as part of the enrollment process.”

North Carolinians who are already enrolled in a HealthCare.gov plan will automatically get re-enrolled in 2019 coverage, but navigators are urging consumers to check back in to see if a more suitable plan is available. Rates have dropped in some areas, so consumers might be able to find a plan that offers equivalent or better coverage for cheaper.

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Media Contacts

Mark Van Arnam, Co-Director, NC Navigator Consortium, 704-785-0839, MarkV@legalaidnc.org

The NC Navigator Consortium is a group of seven health care, social service and legal aid organizations that helps North Carolina consumers enroll in affordable, comprehensive health insurance plans on HealthCare.gov, the Health Insurance Marketplace established by the Affordable Care Act. Members of the consortium are Access East, Capital Care Collaborative, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Cumberland HealthNet, HealthNet Gaston, and Legal Aid of North Carolina, which leads the consortium. Learn more at ncnavigator.net.

Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal help to low-income and vulnerable North Carolinians. Learn more at legalaidnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

​BURLINGTON, February 3, 2015 – North Carolinians who need help enrolling in affordable health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act can call toll-free 1-855-733-3711 or 1-800-672-5834 to schedule a free, in-person meeting with a certified health care navigator who can guide consumers through the enrollment process. Open enrollment runs through February 15.

Navigators from Legal Aid of North Carolina will be conducting an enroll-a-thon February 11 at the Alamance County Health Department at 319 North Graham-Hopedale Road in Burlington. Appointments are required and may be scheduled by calling 1-855-733-3711 or 1-800-672-5834.

Navigators are trained to help consumers understand how the Affordable Care Act will work for their families, apply for premium subsidies and coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, and enroll in qualified health plans. Ninety-two percent of North Carolinians who enrolled or reenrolled in health care coverage by December 15 received financial assistance.

Consumers enrolling in health plans need to provide social security numbers and dates of birth for themselves and their family members, employer contact information (if applicable), policy numbers for current health insurance coverage (if applicable), and proof of household income.

Click here to learn more about navigators and the Affordable Care Act.​

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Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in order to ensure equal access to justice and remove legal barriers to economic opportunity. To learn more, visit www.legalaidnc.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contacts

David Richardson, 919-542-0475, davidr@legalaidnc.org

Sean Driscoll, 919-856-2132, seand@legalaidnc.org

The project described was supported by Funding Opportunity number CA-NAV-14-002 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The contents provided are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS or any of its agencies.