Health navigator available to assist consumers [Thomasville Times-Enterprise, Ga.]

Oct. 30--THOMASVILLE -- Since the Health Insurance Marketplace debuted on Oct. 1, Kim Wyche, a University of Georgia health navigator, has been working to help consumers navigate health coverage options and the new online portal.

Health navigators assist consumers, small businesses and employees as these individuals and organizations look for health coverage options to fit their needs and budgets. The UGA employees, housed under the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, have completed 59 hours of comprehensive training through the State of Georgia, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the University of Georgia College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Further, navigators have passed a State Navigator License Exam and are certified by the Georgia insurance commissioner.

"The health insurance marketplace is something new for consumers to learn how to navigate," said Joan Koonce, Family and Consumer Sciences family financial planning specialist. "We are happy to provide unbiased education to Georgians across the state and in all walks of life. We are working to do everything we can to help the people in our state, and this is just one of the many ways in which we can offer our expertise."

The UGA Health Navigator program is designed to meet the needs of Georgians by providing assistance in convenient, community-based locations. Navigators are available at convenient times, including evenings and weekends, at no cost to enrollees and are qualified to:

Provide in-person assistance to those applying for health insurance coverage at the time of initial application or annual renewal;

Provide education on the types of health insurance programs available through the marketplace;

Offer information about advance premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions;

Refer consumers to other organizations for help with grievances, complaints or questions regarding health coverage or a determination related to coverage; and

Supply information in a fair and impartial manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate and disability accessible, including for individuals with limited English proficiency.

Health navigators are based out of UGA Extension offices and serve the immediately surrounding counties.

"UGA Extension has the depth and breadth of reach across the state to efficiently implement the educational outreach program to help Georgians comply with the law," said Deborah Murray, associate dean for Extension and Outreach in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. "Every UGA Extension office will have information to direct uninsured consumers needing consumer education and navigation assistance with the health insurance marketplace."

Kim Wyche, the UGA navigator for 28 counties in southern Georgia, is based out of the UGA Extension office in Thomas County, at 227 W Jefferson Street. She is available to assist consumers at a variety of locations in her designated area, including at churches, community centers, schools, commercial centers, businesses and other Extension offices. To learn more about health coverage for individuals, families, businesses, contact Wyche at 229 225-4130 or at HYPERLINK "mailto: [email protected]"[email protected] to schedule an appointment.

For general information on the UGA Health Navigator program, call 1-877-7NAVIGATE (1-877-762-8442) or visit uganavigators.org.

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