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Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

CMS Releases Local Help Function to Help Consumers Find In-Person Assistance in the Health Insurance Marketplace

Healthcare For All Sign at the 2011 My Medicaid Matters RallySource: CMS Office of Communications

CMS has soft launched a new online “Local Help” function to help locate in-person enrollment assistance in the Health Insurance Marketplace. At LocalHelp.healthcare.gov users can input their geographic location to identify local consumer assistance destinations to serve consumers and small businesses.

The information is mobile optimized so it can be easily accessed on tablets and smartphones. The data behind the Local Help tool consists of many Navigator grantees, Certified Application counselors, state Medicaid and CHIP agencies, and others who are trained to provide in person assistance to consumers and small businesses. As many organizations are still completing the training and certification process, the database will be regularly updated to add new locations as they become available.

A Spanish version is available at: ayudalocal.cuidadodesalud.gov. Underlying data is available for those interested in using an application interface (API) or adding a widget to your website.

CMS encourages you to share this new resource with your members and thanks you for your work to raise awareness about the new Health Insurance Marketplace. Please contact [email protected] if you need technical assistance.