About OnlineNavigator.org

OnlineNavigator.org is a project launched by Freedom Benefits in response to changes initiated by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 that expanded consumers' access to health insurance choices and enrollment information. OnlineNavigator service was created to provide convenient, affordable and independent professional help with health insurance and health reform issues. See the terms of service page for details on services and operating procedures.

The initial focus was to provide consumer information and enrollment support for Medicaid eligible individuals and businesses through the state insurance exchanges. In early 2012 the availability of services will be expanded to all individuals who request professional help with the health insurance exchanges. The most often requested service was assistance with the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans (PCIP). In May 2012 after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services halted payments to agents for enrollment in the federally administered Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans, the site was changed to a user-paid service.

Telephone service was phased out in June 2012. Email support remains available free of charge.

OnlineNavigator was developed based on Freedom Benefits' OnlineAdviser service network platform that was launched in 1997. OnlineAdviser provides similar enrollment support for a wider range of consumer finance issues. Collectively these services have provided support for more than 300,000 consumer commercial health insurance inquiries since 1997.

The principal adviser is Tony Novak, CPA, MBA, MT, a consumer health reform advocate with more than 25 years experience as a benefits adviser to clients nationwide. He is a licensed life and health insurance agent in all 50 states and DC and a certified Consumer Driven Health Care Consultant. Novak is the founder of MedSave.com and Freedom Benefits. Case management and simple support issues are handled by a small staff of expereinced health insurance professionals.

"OnlineAdviser" and "OnlineNavigator" are trademarks of Freedom Benefits Association.

Purpose

The purpose of the service is to enable consumers to determine eligibility for a wide range of health plan options including insurance and accountable care organizations, make comparisons between these options, and enroll for coverage online. Our primary function is to assist with specific user questions. Much of the information on this Web site, as well as the information provided through one-one services offered, is taken from government sources and converted to a format that may make it easier for consumers to understand.

Consumer focus

This Web site focuses solely on consumer issues and does not address employer requirements or concerns. We anticipate that the service will be primarily used by the employees of small businesses that replace group insurance plans with individual exchange-provided insurance.

Other Services for Individuals

Individual non-commissioned and independent financial planning services of Freedom Benefits are listed at www.FreedomBenefits.co. Services and fees are similar to this service except that 1 to 2 hours is typically the minimum time required to discuss other broad-based or comprehensive financial planning issues.

Other Services for Businesses

Support for employers who wish to sponsor an exchange-based defined contribution health plan for employees is available through a related service at www.freedombenefits.org. Plans can be customized to meet almost any specific employer requirements.

Affiliations

OnlineNavigator is not affiliated with any government benefit program or commercial health insurance. Our only direct business affiliation is with the Freedom Benefits Association network of services.

Freedom Benefits Association offers Web-based enrollment services and related support to health insurance companies, accountable care organizations, COBRA plan administrators and COBRA alternative providers but does not endorse any specific product or service. We do not endorse either the national health insurance exchange, state or commercial health insurance exchange or any exchange-listed product but rather provides guidance on a case-by-case basis after consideration of individual circumstances. 

Funding

OnlineNavigator.org is not funded by any government or government-affiliated agency. A limited amount of free service is provided by the principal and volunteer navigators during the start-up phase in 2012 and 2013. The cost of services is ultimately paid by the individual user or a third party like an employer, union, agent, insurance company or agency, accountable care organization, church-related organization or professional association.

Tony Novak offers his personal service at a reduced rate and waives minimum fee requirements for OnlineNavigator users in an effort to launch the service that we believe will be a much more important part of the health plan selection process in the future.

Accuracy of Information

Information is from sources believed to be accurate but cannot be guaranteed. All services are provided on a best efforts basis and subject to the Terms of Service. Treasury Circular 230 requires us to notify you that any tax advice in this communication including any attachments and linked resources are not intended or written by the practitioner to be used, and that it cannot be used by the taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer.

Privacy Statement

We do not sell or disclose personal information collected from our users. Any personal information that you may provide while using our service is used only to address the specific question and will not be used for any other purpose. See our Privacy Statement enclosed with your client agreement email for more information.

HIPAA Security

We have policies in force to protect the privacy and security of your protected health information as required by law. See our privacy statement enclosed with your client agreement for more information.