Employers

Health care insurance navigators are employed by navigator organizations that receive federal or state funding. They include health systems, legal aid societies, and patient advocacy organizations. 

Starting Out

Most individuals who wish to work as navigators should seek out training and entry-level positions in one of the nonprofit and community based service organizations that are receiving funding. A list of those entities can be found at CMS.gov, the government Web site for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

A health insurance navigator is a member of a team that is working towards the goal of providing insurance coverage for all Americans. The role of a navigator is very specific. Navigators seeking advancement may seek to work with small businesses, focus on outreach and public education activities, or seek management or leadership positions in the administration of the navigator programs with increased responsibilities and salaries.

Familiarize yourself with the Affordable Care Act by reviewing impartial summaries on the Web and, if you have the time and stamina, the Act itself, which can be accessed at Healthcare.gov—all 20,000+ pages of regulations.

Review a list of navigator entities awarded grants to determine where positions in your state may be available. A listing of 2019 grants is available at https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2019-federally-facilitated-exchange-navigator-cooperative-agreement-awards.

Search for navigator jobs on employment Web sites such as Indeed.com, Simplyhired.com, and Monster.com.