WHO: Are you or a family member looking for health coverage?
WHAT: West Virginia residents can take advantage of a free program called WV Navigator to help you figure out your options. WV Navigator assists people in finding affordable health insurance through Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP), and the Health Insurance Marketplace.
WHEN: Open Enrollment for 2025 is currently underway! Open Enrollment for the 2025 Health Insurance Marketplace is November 1 through January 15 so it is important to call as soon as possible to enroll in insurance for next year. The WV Navigator program is open Monday – Friday from 8am to 6pm.
WHERE: In-person assistance is available now in Charleston, Huntington, Fairmont, Beckley and Martinsburg; phone assistance is available to anyone in West Virginia. To schedule an appointment, receive enrollment assistance, or to get more information on your coverage options contact the program at 304-356-5834. You can also visit their website or find them on Facebook.
HOW MUCH?: The WV Navigator program is completely free to in-state residents and they work with individuals to explore what coverage they qualify for and help answer questions to make sure the insurance plans would be best for a family’s needs. Insurance plans are now more affordable with 4 in 5 people able to get a plan starting at under $10/month. Most West Virginians, even higher earners, will qualify for financial assistance to help pay their monthly premium. The program wants people to know that even if they have priced plans in the past and felt they were unaffordable, they should definitely check back this year to look at the new plans and prices.
HOW?: First Choice Services, a non-profit organization that operates other grant funded social service helplines for WV residents, has operated the grant-funded program since 2015. The program receives funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
WHY?: Many in WV still go without health coverage and that can lead to debt, bankruptcy, putting off important medical checks and overall poor health. WV Navigator’s goal is to help every person in WV find affordable health coverage.
FOR MORE INFO: If your organization would like to receive flyers to hang up or distribute, or would like to schedule a presentation to learn more about the program, please contact Jeremy Smith.