Celebrating 10 Years of Insurance Navigation in eastern Washington

/

We’re no strangers to the fact that health care systems can be really difficult to navigate on your own. To help folks with the complicated world of health insurance, BHT works with a Navigator Network, a group of dedicated individuals who assist community members in understanding and enrolling in health insurance plans. Since its early days in 2013, the Navigator Network has grown to include approximately 120 Navigators across 20 organizations, serving residents in Adams, Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, and Whitman counties. This year BHT was recognized for 10 years of service with the Navigator Network as the lead organization. Read on to learn more about the history of the Navigator network and how far we have come together!

Providing Access to Care

Navigating health systems can be overwhelming, with complicated rules, confusing paperwork, and ever-changing policies. That’s where Insurance Navigators come in. These dedicated professionals provide free, one-on-one assistance to help individuals and families understand their healthcare options, enroll in the right plan, and maintain their coverage. Navigators do more than just help with health insurance. Many of the people they meet are facing challenges beyond coverage. A simple conversation about insurance often opens the door to guiding individuals toward other vital resources, such as food assistance programs, rental support, mental health services, and more. Navigators serve as trusted messengers, connecting people with the help they need, even when they didn’t know where to start. Whether they’re assisting a rural family with Medicaid enrollment, helping a COFA community member transition coverage, or directing someone to resources for basic needs, Navigators play a critical role in breaking down barriers to a healthier life.

Meet our Navigators!

Our Navigators on staff see firsthand how life changing healthcare access can be. Whether it’s helping a single parent enroll her family in coverage, guiding someone through a complex insurance renewal, or connecting a struggling individual with food assistance, they have worked hard to become trusted members of their communities.

10 Years of Service in the Navigator Network

In January 2025, Better Health Together was honored by the Washington Health Benefit Exchange with a 10-Year Navigator Service Award. This award celebrates the hard work our team has done over the last decade to help people get healthcare coverage. The award also recognized our commitment to health equity making sure that everyone, no matter their background, has the same chance to be healthy.

Looking Back at Milestones of the Navigator Network

Growth in 2024

In 2024, the Navigator Network played a crucial role in enrolling thousands of people in health insurance plans, breaking down barriers to care, and providing critical support to underserved communities.

Over the course of the year, Navigators helped over 20,000 people enroll in Qualified Health Plans (QHP), Medicaid (WAH), and Special Enrollment Period (SEP) plans. Some key highlights include:

  • January 2024 saw a major enrollment push with 1,919 people gaining coverage, including 1,658 Medicaid enrollments—showing the continued need for affordable health options.

  • June 2024 was the busiest month, with an impressive 2,430 enrollments, largely driven by Medicaid applications.

  • Throughout the year, Special Enrollment Period (SEP) enrollments remained steady, helping those who experienced life changes—such as job loss or major family events—secure coverage when they needed it most.

  • In November and December, open enrollment surged, with a combined 339 new QHP enrollments as people prepared for the upcoming year.

Beyond health insurance, our Navigators helped families connect with essential resources, from food assistance programs to guidance on immigration-related healthcare concerns. Their work ensures that people don’t just get insured but also receive ongoing support and advocacy in navigating the complex healthcare system.

Each number represents a family, an individual, or a community member gaining peace of mind, knowing they have access to medical care when they need it most. At Better Health Together, we are proud of the work our Navigators do, and as we look ahead, we remain committed to making healthcare access equitable, inclusive, and simple for all.

 

2024 was an incredible year, enrolling nearly 20,000 people and ensuring that more families and individuals gained access to the healthcare they need. Their tireless work, especially in supporting Medicaid and SEP enrollments, reflects the critical role they play in improving community health and reducing barriers to care.

Thank You to Our Navigator Network Partners

The success of our Navigator Network wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support and dedication of our partner organizations. Their commitment to improving healthcare access in our communities helps ensure that thousands of people receive the guidance and support they need to navigate the health insurance system and access essential resources.

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the following organizations for being a vital part of our Navigator Network:

  • Newport Schood District

  • Northeast Tri-County Health District

  • Odessa Memorial Health Care Center

  • Peer Spokane

  • Pend Oreille County Counseling Services

  • Pioneer Human Services

  • Planned Parenthood of Eastern WA

  • Providence Health & Services

  • Revive Counseling

  • Riverside Recovery Center

  • Rural Resources Community Action

  • Spectrum Center Spokane

  • Unidos Nueva Alianza Foundation

  • Unify Community Health

  • Whitman Hospital & Medical Center

  • Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern WA

  • Better Health Together

  • Cancer Care Northwest

  • Columbia Basin Health Association (CBHA)

  • Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS)

  • Community Minded Enterprises

  • Eastern Washington University

  • Frontier Behavioral Health

  • Hispanic Business/Professional Association (HBPA)

  • Inland Northwest Behavioral Health

  • Latinos en Spokane

  • MultiCare Health System

  • NEW Health Programs Association

  • New Horizon Care Centers - Sun Ray Court

  • Newport Hospital & Health Services

Your work, passion, and dedication make a profound difference in the lives of the people we serve. Thanks to your efforts, we are able to reach more communities, break down barriers to care, and ensure that healthcare is more accessible and equitable for all. We are truly grateful for your partnership and the positive impact you continue to make in Eastern Washington.