The proposed project is a cooperative agreement to reach 3,000,000 Alabamians total; provide 3,500 one-on-one consumer interactions and assist 1,000 across the state annually in enrolling in a Qualified Health Plan through the Federally-facilitated Exchange, Medicaid, or CHIP. The Enroll Alabama Project, focusing specifically on low-income communities, rural communities, people living with HIV, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations, has enrolled and educated thousands of Alabamians on the Federally-facilitated Exchange. AIDS Alabama and its partners have been successful grantees since the Navigator Program began in 2013. AIDS Alabama has requested $2,551,470.00 in the upcoming 12-month grant period (2023-2024) to continue this vital work, ensuring that everyone in Alabama is aware of their health care coverage options and can successfully enroll in a plan well-suited to their needs.
With 22 full-time Navigators fully trained by OE 2023, AIDS Alabama will partner with varied organizations including AIDS Alabama South, The Right Place, East Alabama Medical Center, United Way, Project Say Something, DCH Regional Medical Center, and The Wellness Coalition to provide general information about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, CHIP, Ryan White, the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and other health care opportunities to communities throughout Alabama. Additionally, for this grant period we will partner with the state of Alabama Medicaid Agency to assist with the Medicaid unwinding. Consumers who will no longer be eligible for Medicaid will be contacted by Navigators for assistance from information entered into the Marketplace Assister Community. Navigators will conduct community-wide educational events and presentations in an effort to educate Alabamians on the FFM and the Medicaid unwinding. Navigators will provide information in a manner free of bias and with the ability to reach those who speak languages other than English and Spanish, with other translation services are to be provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services via the hotline number. For those with disabilities, including those who are hearing-impaired, unable to see or housebound, accommodations will be made to assist them in a manner that is appropriate for their needs. Navigators will maintain an expertise of eligibility, enrollment, and all program requirements for the duration of the project. We will achieve these through our new and existing partnerships with other community organizations, religious institutions, businesses and other employers, schools, colleges, and healthcare providers. We will also deploy focused online, social media, radio, and earned television advertising.
