Health navigator
originally posted: 8/16/2011 last update:
Q: Is a health navigator covered by insurance?
A: The term "health navigator" could refer to either of two types of services but neither is widely covered by insurance at this time.
Specialty hospitals, cancer treatment centers and other health care facilities typically offer navigators to assist through the complex process of coordinating care. These navigators are typically nurses.
Also, the Affordable Care Act of 2010 utilized the term "navigator" to refer to a person who helps an individual find appropriate insurance through a health insurance exchange. This serive will be paid though government funding beginning in 2014 for qualifying individuals. We are affiliated with OnlineNavigator that is expected to focus on providing services to individuals whose income is less than 400% of poverty level. This generally means those individuals whose income makes them not eligible for Medicaid but who cannot afford commercial insurance. Insurance navigators are typically financial advisers whose services are not currently within the reach of lower income individuals without a government subsidy.
At this time the best way to cover the cost of a navigator is through a supplemental insurance plan. UnitedHealthcare offers cancer supplement coverage in a growing number of states and Freedom Benefits offers supplemental Core Health Insurance and Basic Health Insurance. All of these are cash indemnity plans which means that they pay cash to the policyholder tin addition to all other insurance. This cash can be used at the discretion of the policy owner to pay for any expenses, including either type of navigator services.