Missouri entities get $1.8M for health navigators

The federal government says several Missouri entities will share up to $1.8 million in grants to help people sign up for insurance through a new online marketplace.

Primaris Healthcare Business Solutions will get more than $1 million to lead a coalition of 11 health care and social service organizations that are supposed to raise awareness about health insurance options.

An additional $750,000 will go to the Missouri Alliance of Area Agencies on Aging for outreach and education efforts.

The Missouri grants are among $67 million being awarded nationally by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide "navigators" for participants in health insurance exchanges.

Enrollment through the online marketplaces begins Oct. 1. Missouri's health insurance exchange is being run by the federal government.