Development of a Navigator-Delivered Health Insurance Education Program for Hispanic and Latine Communities.

Abstract

Background: Equitable access to health care services for Hispanic and Latine populations requires that systems go beyond working to increase enrollment in health insurance but also addressing health insurance literacy-the knowledge, ability, and confidence to find and use health insurance.

Methods: In collaboration with a local health policy organization, individual interviews were conducted with Hispanic and Latine community members. Group engagement sessions were conducted with key professionals. Interviews and engagement sessions focused on the adaptation of an existing health insurance education program (HIEP) to Spanish-speaking Hispanic and Latine individuals. An outline of the proposed HIEP content was provided prior to each interview or engagement session. Qualitative content was analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis guided by the intervention adaptation literature.

Results: A total of N = 20 professionals participated in an engagement session, while N = 21 community members took part in an interview. Professionals worked in both health care systems (55%) and community organizations (45%). Community members were on average 41 years of age (SD = 13), 81% female, and 100% Hispanic or Latine. Qualitative analysis revealed that participants overwhelmingly supported the adaptation of the HIEP and approved of the proposed topics. Participants also provided recommendations to improve the intervention content and characteristics including a focus on controlling costs, tailoring to the population, ensuring accessibility of content, and specifics regarding the HIEP delivery and facilitator.

Conclusions: Overall participants were supportive of the proposed HIEP adaptation and provided a variety of recommendations. Health insurance literacy was perceived as an important next step to enrollment in health insurance.