Connecting Virginians to Care: How Enroll Virginia Helps Immigrant Families Access Health Coverage

Enroll Virginia connects Virginians with affordable health coverage by providing free and unbiased help with the enrollment process. Enroll Virginia navigators help individuals and families in communities across Virginia review their options and access health services through Medicaid/FAMIS, Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, free and community clinics, and hospital charity care programs. Navigators provide education and guidance, empowering clients with knowledge about their coverage and how to access care. 

Immigrants often face unique challenges accessing health care due to complex program eligibility requirements, language barriers, and unfamiliarity with the United States’ health care system. Enroll Virginia serves individuals and families in immigrant communities across the state to help them navigate the complicated process of enrolling and using their insurance. 

VPLC navigator Rhonda Seltz works with clients in Virginia’s New River Valley region. Among her clients are refugee families resettling in Southwest Virginia:  

“I recently had the opportunity to work with some Afghan families. These were the people you saw running to catch the plane, packed into the airport with just a few things they owned. One family in particular, the oldest sister, was part of the elite Afghan female military and again, she was just barely able to get out, and she spent some time in another country before transitioning over to the United States. In that time, she did have a baby and came with her older sister and had experienced so much trauma (including the murder of the father of her child in Afghanistan). I was able to help get their Medicaid coverage right away… 

My role as a navigator is absolutely critical for international families and people with low literacy. Many of the families we work with are not English speakers. We are throwing this very complex and often not very fair or logical system at them and even if someone were to try to assist that family by phone, it’s just not enough. These families need that in-home, one-on-one assistance and they need that additional follow-up because many of these rules and policies are very different. Many immigrant families are here legally and need health care services right away. Sometimes it takes months and while we are trying to assist them as navigators, they are still trying to address things like their immigration status, trying to open a bank account, trying to get into English classes and it’s all overwhelming for them. A navigator is an absolute must if we want to be sure that an individual gets through the process, that they access the health insurance that they deserve and that there is follow-up with them to ensure that they can continue to maintain that coverage.” 

As Rhonda shares, “When people talk about having health insurance/health coverage, it’s not about health insurance. It’s about whether you live or die. It’s about whether or not you have access to the type of care that you deserve.” 

To schedule an appointment with one of our navigators you can reach us by: 

Helpline – 1-888-392-5132 

Online – enrollva.org/get-help