Nonprofit gets grant to help people sign up for health insurance

jbBetter Health Together has received a $307,000 state grant to continue helping people sign up for health insurance.

The two-year grant was announced Tuesday by the Washington Health Benefit Exchange. The nonprofit Better Health Together trains individuals who offer free, in-person support to help people navigate the health exchange’s online enrollment process.

More than 50,000 Spokane County residents have signed up for insurance since late 2013, about half of whom relied on trained “assisters” to help them navigate the exchange. The sign-ups have occurred at libraries, jails, food banks, health fairs and bus stops, as well as clinics and hospitals.

The percentage of Spokane County residents without health insurance has dropped from 13 percent to less than 5 percent during that time. The grant is for seven Eastern Washington counties, including Spokane County.

The next open enrollment period is Nov. 1 through Jan. 31, 2016.

Better Health Together is a subsidiary of Empire Health Foundation.