The Navigator Network of Eastern Washington

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The Navigator Network of Eastern Washington has 150 assisters and 48 partners in 7 counties.

The Navigator Network launched with a target enrollment goal of 10,000 participants in qualified healthcare plans. Within the first two years, the Network dramatically exceeded this number, enrolling more than 100,000 participants. Because of this work, more than 95% of our region has insurance coverage.

Our network’s tremendous success comes from the web of diverse partners connected across our region. Visit the Regional Impact Map to see the collaboration and reach of The Navigator Network.

These partners represent many sectors including: Community health clinics, hospitals, public health, nonprofit organizations, faith based community organizations, behavioral health providers, the criminal justice system, aging and long-term care, affordable housing agencies, libraries, early learning, K-12 education, and higher education.

This vast network has reached population segments including un/underinsured people, older adults, people with disabilities, low-income individuals and families, people experiencing homelessness, foster youth, prison and re-entry populations, people with limited English proficiency, migrant workers, small businesses, rural populations, and the region’s diverse racial/ethnic populations.

Throughout the year, BHT coordinates numerous outreach activities leading up to the annual open enrollment period for health insurance. We also strategically reach out to people who qualify for special enrollment, such as people losing other coverage due to a change in employment or income. This work happens at community-based events, through community based partnerships, higher education, with the business sector, and in faith-based settings. Overall, we have engaged more than 60,000 individuals through direct, in-person outreach and awareness activities.

We Love Data

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We Love Data

As we dive deeper and deeper into the Accountable Community of Health work, we all keep
wondering—how are we going to measure this stuff? How are we going to demonstrate change? What is the benchmark on this data? We are fortunate in our region to have a solid Data Center at Spokane Regional Health District, but we cannot do this alone.

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DENT (Dental Emergencies Needing Treatment)

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The DENT program connects patients to dental care and expands the network of dental providers accepting Apple Health. It was designed to reduce unnecessary Emergency Room utilization for dental emergencies and to coordinate a network of oral health care providers to improve access, health, and reduce costs for this population.

Our Community Health Worker team receives referrals from the Emergency Room and connects patients with Medicaid accepting dentists, provides behavioral coaching and ensuring that patients have the support to follow their dental care plan. We are also working to to recruit new dentists to accept Apple Health patients.

Go to the Regional Impact Map to see funders and partners for this and other BHT programs.

A Plan for a Healthier Washington

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  • Build healthier communities and people through prevention and early attention to disease
  • Integrate care and social supports for individuals who have both physical and behavioral health needs
  • Reward quality heath care over quantity, with state government leading by example as Washington's largest purchaser of health care

ACH Resources

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Spotlight: Dr. Brian Macall, Unify Community Health

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Dr. Brian Macall Lead Dentist  |  Unify Community Health

Dr. Brian Macall 
Lead Dentist  |  Unify Community Health

By working at a community clinic, Dr. Macall is able to treat many individuals from underserved populations. The clinic takes patients that are unable to seek dental care elsewhere, including DENT patients.

Dr. Macall believes the biggest health challenge facing the region is access. If community clinics and providers were not present, a large percentage of the region’s population would not be able to get treatment at all. But even then, it’s not enough. Many private dentists that took Medicaid have stopped because of low reimbursements and challenging paperwork.

Eastern Washington has a huge population of individuals who have dental insurance but are unable to get treatment. Because of this, many people go weeks and months with severely decayed teeth, pain, and sometimes infections. For a lot of patients, Macall is the last resource. The best feeling, for him, is being able to say, “I can help you,” and seeing the excitement and joy on his patients’ faces.

Spotlight: Tina Shute, DENT Client

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Tina Shute DENT Client

Tina Shute 
DENT Client

When Tina Shute found herself with a broken tooth, she headed to the ER. Life circumstances had caused Shute to go without dental insurance and regular dental care. Even though her tooth caused excruciating pain, Shute put off seeking treatment for several weeks.

When she finally did visit the ER, the only option was to pull the entire tooth. As she was leaving the ER, Shute was given the number of a dental advocate at the DENT program, who got her into a dental appointment right away. Shute even had car issues, so her dental advocate drove her to the appointment.

Since then, Shute has noticed a huge improvement in her oral health and in her overall health. She is no longer in pain, and DENT is helping her take care of other dental issues until she can afford to have a regular dentist.  

Spotlight: Juan Sandoval, Director of Health Connections, Columbia Basin Health Association (CBHA)

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Juan Sandoval Director of Health COnnection  |  Columbia Basin Health Association

Juan Sandoval 
Director of Health COnnection  |  Columbia Basin Health Association

Before joining CBHA, Juan Sandoval’s occupation related to farm work, where he met many people who could not afford to pay their medical bills or who were not aware of the programs for which they could qualify.

Juan Sandoval’s work at CBHA seeks to educate community members and raise awareness about state and federal programs available to them. He assists clients with the application process to establish eligibility and enroll in the health insurance program that best fits their needs.

In conjunction with Better Health Together and other local partners, Sandoval has implemented marketing initiatives to conduct outreach and education. He is heartened by the improvement he’s seen over the years in regards to health care awareness.

More and more people now understand the importance of having some type of coverage. He feels especially rewarded helping patients who are impacted by stressful situations experiencing chronic conditions.