Patient Navigation Assistance Act

HR 9446, the Patient Navigation Assistance Act, requires states to cover patient navigator services under Medicaid for low-income individuals. It mandates that states reimburse qualified providers (called "eligible entities") for services provided by certified "patient navigators" to Medicaid beneficiaries. Patient navigators must hold specific education/certification (e.g., nursing or social work degrees, licensure, or approved training) and help individuals access health, social, and financial services through referrals. The bill adds these services to Medicaid’s covered benefits, allowing states to bill federal funds for reimbursement under the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP).