Consumer Assistance for New York State of Health Navigator Program

The Consumer Assistance for New York State of Health Navigator Program is administered by the New York State Department of Health through its Office of Health Insurance Programs and NY State of Health marketplace. The program is designed to provide culturally competent, linguistically appropriate, and accessible assistance to individuals and small businesses seeking to enroll in health insurance coverage. This initiative builds upon the Affordable Care Act requirement for state marketplaces to maintain Navigator programs that help consumers understand their options and complete enrollment. The Department emphasizes health equity and aims to ensure that underserved and vulnerable populations can access coverage without barriers. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support organizations that will deliver in-person and telephone-based application and enrollment assistance services across New York State. These services include helping individuals apply for Qualified Health Plans, Medicaid, the Essential Plan, and Child Health Plus, as well as assisting small businesses with enrollment in the Small Business Health Options Program. Grantees are also expected to provide education about insurance options, financial assistance eligibility, and ongoing support for renewals and life-status changes. Additional responsibilities include assisting individuals in meeting new federal community engagement requirements related to Medicaid eligibility. Funding for this program totals approximately 32000000 annually over a five-year period, with allocations distributed across counties and special populations. Specific funding streams include up to 675000 per year for Federally Recognized Tribes and Urban Indian Organizations and approximately 31325000 per year for nonprofit organizations serving counties and boroughs throughout the state. Award amounts vary by county based on population density and uninsured rates, with maximum annual awards per county ranging from approximately 233522 to 642184 depending on geographic classification. Funds may be used for staffing, outreach, infrastructure such as computers and internet access, and program operations necessary to deliver Navigator services. Eligibility for this opportunity includes not-for-profit organizations, Federally Recognized Tribes, Urban Indian Organizations, and certain other community-based entities such as chambers of commerce, unions, and licensed agents who meet federal Navigator requirements. Applicants must be prequalified in the Statewide Financial System if applicable and must demonstrate the capacity to provide services across entire geographic areas, including beyond their existing client base. Local Departments of Social Services are not eligible to apply. Applicants may serve as lead agencies and may subcontract components of the work, but retain full responsibility for program delivery and compliance. The application process requires submission through the New York State Statewide Financial System as well as a simultaneous email submission of a complete PDF application. Applicants must follow detailed submission procedures, including role assignments within the system and compliance with file naming and size restrictions. A letter of interest is encouraged but not required. Applications must include a structured narrative addressing program design, organizational capacity, enrollment strategies, site locations, staffing, and budget justification. Supporting attachments and compliance forms must also be included. Applications are evaluated on a competitive basis using a 100-point scoring system that assesses factors such as organizational experience, enrollment strategy, site accessibility, health equity approach, quality assurance, training plans, and budget justification. Awards are made on a county-by-county basis, with at least two grantees expected per county where possible. Contracts are anticipated to run from February 1, 2027 through January 31, 2032, contingent on funding availability and satisfactory performance. Key dates for this funding opportunity include a release date of March 26, 2026, a letter of interest and questions deadline of April 13, 2026, and a final application deadline of May 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. Questions must be submitted in writing and responses are published publicly to ensure transparency. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit early to avoid technical issues. Contact for this opportunity is Brian Loucks at the New York State Department of Health, reachable via email at OHIPgrants@health.ny.gov or by phone at 518-474-9696.

Emphasize strong enrollment strategy and community presence; demonstrate measurable outcomes and staffing capacity; ensure compliance with SFS submission requirements; submit early to avoid technical issues