On Friday, July 12, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued final regulations on health insurance navigators, who will help steer consumer toward the proper coverage beginning Oct. 1, 2013, when the Health Insurance Marketplaces open for business (in 16 states so far, plus a gargantuan federal mechanism for the other 34).
Community organizers and church leaders are being envisioned as the likeliest candidates for navigators, as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) forbids insurance agents from serving because they would not necessarily be impartial.
"Navigators will be trained to play a vital role in fulfilling our commitment to help consumers learn about and apply for quality health insurance when open enrollment for consumers in the Marketplaces begins Oct. 1,” said Marilyn Tavenner, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.