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CENTERPLACE HEALTH CERTIFIES THREE STAFF MEMBERS AS NAVIGATORS FOR THE FEDERAL MARKETPLACE THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT MEDIA CONTACT: Fran Polar- Polar@CenterPlaceHealth.org Sarasota, Fla., December 1, 2021 - CenterPlace Health has partnered with the Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, Inc. to certify three of their staff members as Navigators for the Affordable Care Act. Staff members, Ximena Granada, Tracy Green and Fran Polar are Certified Navigators and currently scheduling appointments that are free and open to the public. Granada and Green are both Community Health Workers at CenterPlace Health and Polar is the Marketing and Communications coordinator. The team of three will assist the public with getting registered for affordable health insurance. Both Granada and Polar are bilingual and are fluent in both English and Spanish. The Navigator position was created by the Affordable Care Act to provide helpers for people to enroll in coverage through the health insurance exchange and refer or assist with Medicaid enrollment. Navigators are paid by state and federal grant programs, and they cannot be compensated by the insurance companies. Navigators play a vital role in helping consumers prepare applications to establish eligibility and enroll in coverage through the Marketplaces and potentially qualify for an insurance affordability program. They also provide outreach and education to raise awareness about the Marketplace and refer consumers to health insurance and consumer assistance programs when necessary. Navigators operate year-round—increasing awareness among the remaining uninsured about the coverage options available to them, helping consumers find affordable coverage that meets their needs, and assisting consumers beyond the enrollment process to ensure they're equipped with the tools and resources needed to utilize and maintain their health coverage all year. Navigators must complete comprehensive federal Navigator training, criminal background checks, and state training and registration (when applicable), prior to assisting consumers. For further information, please call 1 (866)-547-2793. About CenterPlace Health CenterPlace Health’s mission drives the work that they do to provide high-quality, low-cost health care. The mission of CenterPlace Health is to provide efficient and effective delivery of quality, affordable health services to a diverse population in a compassionate and caring manner. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, CenterPlace Health is committed to addressing the whole patient through primary care, dental care, and integrated behavioral health services at six locations throughout Sarasota County. Learn more at CenterPlaceHealth.org.