Health Access MN is seeking a full-time (40 hours/week) health insurance navigator and consumer advocate, based in St. Paul, MN, to assist people who want to enroll in health insurance, primarily through the MNsure system. Navigators are currently working remotely.
About Health Access MN
Health Access MN is dedicated to making health care accessible to all. We are a health advocacy organization that provides outreach, education and enrollment assistance to Minnesotans seeking health insurance coverage through MNsure, the state’s online marketplace. When the Affordable Care Act created a new way to enroll in health care coverage through on-line exchanges like MNsure, it also called for a new kind of advocate — navigators — to help people understand and take advantage of their health plan options. Health Access MN partners with community organizations, county human services offices, public libraries and other groups to offer critical health insurance enrollment support to individuals and families in the Twin Cities Metro and southeastern Minnesota. Health Access MN also leverages its direct service work to advocate for systemic and policy change to increase equity and improve access to health care.
About the Position
The Health Insurance Navigator (“Navigator”) will help educate, assist and advocate for Minnesotans seeking access to health insurance coverage. Although all staff members are currently working remotely from home office space, the Navigator is usually based in our St. Paul office, and will also travel to outreach locations throughout the Twin Cities Metro area, primarily in Ramsey County.
This is a highly visible position requiring excellent communication and organizational skills, as well as the ability to multi-task and solve problems. Critical thinking and excellent computer skills are essential, and the Navigator must be willing and able to work independently. This position requires reliable transportation and may occasionally require a flexible schedule, particularly during MNsure’s Open Enrollment period (tentatively scheduled Nov. 1 – Dec. 15, 2021).
Position Status
This is a grant-funded position scheduled to start in August 2021. The grant funding for this position has been secured through June 30, 2022, with a likelihood of extension thereafter.
Primary Duties
- Assist individuals and families with the MNsure application process, including follow-up and troubleshooting.
- Conduct outreach and education to consumers and community partners in the Metro.
- Develop community and consumer resources and materials.
- Develop and maintain relationships with community and navigator partners.
- Identify barriers to the application and enrollment process and/or inequities in the health insurance system.
- Assist in efforts to work with consumers, community partners, government agencies and other entities to address those barriers/inequities.
- Successfully complete all required training programs; participate in ongoing conference calls, webinars; and take advantage of other professional development opportunities.
- Assist with administrative tasks, including intake and scheduling duties.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications/Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in health/human services, social sciences, public health, business administration, communications or a related field or 5 years of relevant work experience.
- Reliable transportation, a valid Minnesota driver’s license, and a verifiable good driving record. (Travel is reimbursed at the current federal mileage rate.)
- Excellent verbal, written, analytic and group communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative, and to work collaboratively as part of a team.
- Ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate and complete work assignments within deadlines, and to manage multiple concurrent tasks.
- Strong computer expertise, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and comfort learning new technologies.
- Sensitivity and adherence to maintaining the confidentiality of client information.
- Ability to work well with diverse populations.
- Successful completion of MNsure navigator certification and background check. (This can be completed after hire.)
Preferred Qualifications/Skills
- Fluency in Spanish (or other second language) strongly preferred.
- Experience working with culturally diverse and low-income populations.
- Strong health insurance literacy (including public programs and individual market).
- Experience working with and/or connections to community-based organizations.
Compensation and Benefits
- $18-20/hour (DOE)
- Employer-sponsored health insurance
To Apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references to Health Access MN’s Executive Director, Kelly McAnnany, at info@healthaccess.mn with the subject: “Attn: SP Navigator Position.” This job is also posted on Indeed.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please mention in your e-mail or cover letter how you learned of this opportunity.
Health Access MN is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to promoting and advancing health justice through our work, and we seek to build a diverse staff to help realize this goal.