News Releases

Partnership with CHAP Strengthens Navigation Efforts in Northeast Ohio

The Center for Health Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening health insurance and community navigation efforts in Northeast Ohio by forging an alliance with the Cuyahoga Health Access Partnership, or CHAP. For years, The Center has invested in local nonprofits whose focus has been connecting the residents of Northeast Ohio to valuable community and health resources, and this new partnership provides the opportunity for more collaboration in the future. Under the agreement, CHAP will continue to operate under its current organizational structure in order to sustain its navigation efforts in Northeast Ohio, and The Center will assist in convening similar nonprofits and healthcare providers around issues related to health insurance and community-based navigation.

CHAP, which was established in 2009, grew out of the Access to a Medical Home Initiative that was supported by the Saint Luke’s Foundation. Based on its initial success, the newly-formed CHAP board was eager to replicate this model across Northeast Ohio. Now formally referred to as the Cuyahoga “Access Plan,” the program utilizes an electronic eligibility system to coordinate primary and specialty care throughout the region. In addition to the Access Plan, CHAP expanded its operations in 2013 to respond to the need for insurance navigation created by the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). Under the new agreement, CHAP partners with the Ohio Association of Foodbanks to assist Marketplace-eligible resident of Northeast Ohio find a health insurance plan that works for them.

Earlier this year, CHAP’s board of directors authorized The Center or its affiliate to become the sole member of the CHAP board. Following that transaction, the Greater Cleveland Health Care Association, an affiliate of The Center, authorized the transaction. The three-member board, as authorized by law, consists of: Lisa Anderson, senior vice president of member services; Mario Franco, director of finance and accounting; and Tony Gutowski, manager of government relations. Together, these representatives are tasked with ensuring CHAP remains compliant with its financial and contractual obligations, in addition to continuing its existing navigation efforts in Northeast Ohio.

For more information on The Center’s role in strengthening navigation efforts in Northeast Ohio, contact Tony Gutowski by phone at 216.255.3610 or via email.