Assistance Network Funding Opportunity Announcement Third Q and A with Small Business

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1 Assistance Network Funding Opportunity Announcement Third Q and A with Small Business Adela Flores-Brennan, Assistance Network Manager Heather Taber, Assistance Network Coordinator 1

2 Agenda for Today Housekeeping Assistance Network Structure Funding Opportunity Announcement Purpose Important Dates FOA details Small group market and assistance to business How to Apply Budget Worksheet Question and Answers 2

3 Housekeeping Housekeeping Use of moderated conference line Deadline extension: April 19, 2013 at 5PM Reposting of partnership list Reposting of application Small group market periodic updates: 3

4 Connect for Health Assistance Network A network of local organizations that will provide impartial assistance to consumers seeking health coverage through our new health insurance marketplace that will open in October

5 Assistance Network Structure Health Coverage Guides Individuals who provide assistance. Must be employed by or volunteer for an Assistance Site. Assistance Sites Employ and supervise Health Coverage Guides. May serve individual market or individual and SHOP market. Regional Hubs Assistance Sites (5-6) that provide additional support to COHBE as conveners, hubs for training and outreach. Hubs that do not wish to be Assistance Sites must have a clear plan and strong partnership arrangement. 5

6 Assistance Network Funding Opportunity Announcement Purpose: To invite applications from qualified organizations interested in participating as for: Assistance Sites for individual market Assistance Sites for small group market (SHOP) Assistance Sites for individual and SHOP markets Regional Hubs 6

7 Important Dates Funding Opportunity Announcement and Request for Applications Friday, February 22, 2013 First Question and Answer Meeting and Webinar Tuesday, February 26, 2013, 10 AM, Holiday Inn Cherry Creek, 455 S Colorado Blvd Second Question and Answer Teleconference and Webinar Tuesday, March 12, 2013, 10:30 AM NEW Third Question and Answer Teleconference and Webinar Monday, April 1, 2013, 11:30 Last Day to Submit Written Questions Monday, March 25, 2013 Friday, April 5, 2013 Applications Due Monday, April 8, 2013, 5:00 PM MST Friday, April 19, 2013, 5:00 PM Application Review and Selection April 8 May 2, 2013 April 19 May 15, 2013 Announcement of Intended Grant Recipients Friday, May 3, 2013 May 20,

8 Assistance Network Roles, Responsibilities, Expectations, Requirements Ready to begin application assistance by October 1, 2013 Open Enrollment October 1, 2013 March 31, 2014 Education, information and inquiries as soon as August 2013 Post enrollment assistance and life change events throughout the year Family size changes Income changes Moving to new service area Align with federal requirements for Navigator Program Eligibility and enrollment expertise, fair and impartial services, facilitate selection of QHP, appropriate referrals, culturally and linguistically appropriate and ADA accessible 8

9 Role of Health Coverage Guides Public Education and Outreach In Person Assistance Information on health coverage options and assistance paying for health coverage Assistance completing application or determining plan and benefit options for small employers Search and prioritize health plan options Post-enrollment support for income and household changes Referrals to consumer assistance Connect with Customer Service Center or Broker 9

10 Assistance Site Expectations and Responsibilities Commitment to COHBE mission Infrastructure to support ADA accessible Health Coverage Guide activities Define geographic region for service Recruit and supervise Health Coverage Guide staff In-person assistance Public Education and Outreach/Inreach Respond to and Phone inquiries and appointment setting Adhere to privacy, security, conflict of interest policies Monitoring and reporting Support for small employers and their employees (SHOP Sites) 10

11 Regional Hub Expectations and Responsibilities Define geographic area for service Convene Health Coverage guides Information sharing, best practices, etc. Ensure coordinated system of referral in region Serve as hub for outreach Coordinate events Public presentations Support training efforts Staff a trainer Identify training needs Serve as mentor 11

12 Additional Requirements IT Web browser Privacy and Security Handling of personal information Liability Responsibility of Assistance Sites Evaluation and Monitoring Reporting and third party evaluation Federal sub-recipient monitoring Reporting and documentation needed for federal flowthrough funding 12

13 The Small Business Exchange What is it? Offers high quality, affordable health insurance plans to small businesses One stop shopping Apples to Apples comparisons Options not available in the conventional market Employee Choice model (multiple carriers / multiple plans) Plans are eligible for Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Up to 50% of employer premium contribution (35% for Non-Profits) Will offer ancillary products such as Dental, Vision, Wellness Programs, Cafeteria Plan Administration and Payroll/HR services

14 The Small Business Exchange Who is eligible? Colorado businesses and employees based in Colorado 50 or fewer total Full-Time and Full-Time Equivalent employees Minimum contribution of 50% of employee only coverage or $125 (whichever is less)

15 The Small Business Exchange Additional Outreach Many small employers cannot afford employer sponsored coverage. The Small Business Exchange can provide information, education and support to their employees. Facilitated Individual Exchange Enrollment

16 Opportunities for Partnership The Small Business Exchange is actively seeking Outreach Partners and Small Business Assistance Sites Understand the needs of small businesses Have access to a specific industry or demographic Enjoy working with the business community

17 Help Employers Who Can Offer Coverage Understand QHP s and the new marketplace rules Understand who could be covered Understand how they contribute to premiums and how the employee can contribute Create an account & Review plan choices Use Connect for Health Colorado to manage information about insurance choices Help employees with account creation and application for coverage 17

18 Help Employers Who Do Not Offer Coverage Recognize the value of connecting employees to Connect for Health Colorado Provide education and outreach to employees In Person Assistance with Connect for Health application and coverage tools 18

19 Who may apply? Organizations/entities not individuals Application Details Partnerships and coalitions (with fiscal agent, MOU) Associations on behalf of membership Selection based on: Geographic location and relative need in community Services to be delivered under application Ability to meet requirements and criteria Ability to reach customers and ensure appropriate access 19

20 Application Details Must use the application form Application should not exceed 25 pages Must include required attachments Applications and all attachments should be combined into one PDF document Submit applications by to Applications DUE: April 19, 2013 at 5PM 20

21 Budget Details Applicants not required to request funding If not requesting funding, omit budget and financial documents Disbursements will begin July 2013 and will be made monthly. Awardees will be provided a request form for early disbursement if needed for preparation and readiness. 21

22 Budget Details Must submit budget worksheet Budget worksheet components Assumptions and Instructions page Estimate numbers served Personnel Health Coverage Guides: salary plus benefits Non-Health Coverage Guides (management, administrative): salary plus benefits Non-personnel Travel: outreach and application assistance related only, no out of state, no overnight Supplies: IT related or office supplies Contractual: services procured in support of Assistance Network Other: marketing, meeting costs, overhead not to exceed 10% 22

23 Questions? Start with questions received by , This is an opportunity to ask questions about the Funding Opportunity. COHBE will address all questions to the best extent possible. All questions and answers will be posted to the website. Any questions that cannot be addressed today will be taken under consideration and responses posted to the website. 23