Fearing the exchanges? If you’re one of seven million people expected to be eligible to shop for health insurance through the forthcoming online marketplaces this fall, you may be one step closer to clarity since the federal government announced the navigators it will support in the 34 states where the federal government will operate the health insurance exchanges. What about the other 16 states and the District of Columbia? Since their legislators decided to set up their own exchange marketplaces, they are responsible for establishing state-based assistance initiatives separate from the federal navigator program.

Federally-supported navigators in Indiana include Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana, Inc. (statewide), Plus One Enterprises (Delaware and Madison Counties), Health & Hospital Corporation of Marion County (Indianapolis area), and the United Way (statewide, through local affiliates). Stay tuned for instructions on how to access the navigators through these entities (other navigators across the country, and assistance opportunities in the states operating their own exchanges) as the go-live date approaches on October 1st. (But remember, only those who aren’t offered health insurance through their employer will be eligible to shop for insurance through the exchanges.)