The Houston Department of health and Human Services (HDHHS) requests City Council approval of a grant application to and an award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to support navigators in federally-facilitated marketplaces. The project period is September 1, 2014 through August 31, 2015 in the amount of $1,830,064.00.
HDHHS also requests that City Council authorize the Mayor to execute the original contract, and authorize the Director or his designee to act as the City's representative with the authority to apply for, accept and expend the grant and all subsequent supplemental awards and to sign and extend the term, not to exceed five years, of any subsequent awards, if any.
The Houston Expansion of ACA Participation Project will support enrollment for and purchasing of insurance by providing outreach, education and assistance with understanding options for health insurance for uninsured eligible individuals and families in Houston/Harris County, Texas, especially those that will be challenged in accessing or understanding the internet based Health Insurance Marketplace. HDHHS will serve as the lead agency as well as the consortium lead for this project.
The project goals are to:
1) Target 15 high-risk zip codes with the highest percentages of uninsured in Houston/Harris County
2) Reach 400,000 persons through outreach activities
3) Assist 100,000 persons through face-to-face encounters
HDHHS facilities (11 multi-service areas, 4 health centers and 14 WIC offices) are located in or near the target areas and will serve as primary hubs for outreach and educational activities. Funds will be used to hire and train 24 Navigators to provide services per federal guidelines and to use outreach strategies that have been successful in similar settings. Particular attention to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services to Houston/Harris County's diverse groups will be in place.