The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires state health care exchanges to establish a “navigator” program that will help people who are eligible to purchase coverage through the exchange learn about their new coverage options and enroll. States will award grants to entities that will provide these services.
Navigators will play a critical role in ensuring that Illinois residents have every available opportunity to benefit from the full implementation of the ACA in Illinois. Currently, thousands of uninsured or under-insured people with HIV obtain healthcare from the Ryan White Program and the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) in Illinois.
As a result of health care implementation the health care landscape for people living with HIV will change in Illinois, it’s estimated that nearly 20% of current ADAP clients will be eligible for insurance subsidies to buy health care coverage on the exchange and 70% will be eligible for Medicaid under its expansion.
