Specifications include, but are not limited to: Navigators will perform the following duties: i. Maintain expertise in eligibility, enrollment, and program specifications, and conduct public education activities to raise awareness about the Exchange. ii. Provide information and services in a fair, accurate, and impartial manner which includes: 1. Providing information that assists consumers with submitting the Exchange’s eligibility application; 2. Clarifying the distinctions among health coverage options, including QHPs and Medicaid/HUSKY Health; 3. Helping consumers make informed decisions during the health coverage selection process, including directing consumers to the Exchange’s Certified Independent Brokers for advisement on health plan selection; and 4. Providing information about the availability of financial help (e.g. Premium Tax Credits and Cost-Sharing Reductions) or programs (e.g. the Covered Connecticut Program). iii. Assist and facilitate enrollment into a QHP, and if applicable, Medicaid/HUSKY Health or Children’s Health Insurance Program (“CHIP”) coverage. iv. Provide referrals to the Office of the Healthcare Advocate, health insurance ombudsman, or other appropriate agencies for any enrollee with a grievance, complaint, or question regarding a health plan, coverage, or a determination under such plan or coverage. v. Provide information in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate to the needs of the population being served by the Exchange, including individuals with limited English proficiency, and ensure accessibility and usability of Navigator tools and functions for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. vi. Inform applicants, prior to receiving assistance, of the functions and responsibilities of Navigators, including that Navigators are not acting as tax advisers or attorneys when assisting consumers and cannot provide tax or legal advice. vii. Receive authorization from applicants to access their Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”) and retain such authorization in accordance with the Exchange’s record retention policies; inform applicants of their ability to revoke such authorization at any time. viii. Provide targeted assistance to underserved or vulnerable populations as identified by the Exchange. ix. Provide information and assistance on the process of filing Exchange eligibility appeals. x. Provide information and assistance, including referrals to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), tax advisers/preparers or other related resources, if necessary, regarding: 1. The basic concepts and rights related to health coverage and how to use it. 2. The availability of exemptions from the requirement to maintain minimum essential coverage and from the individual shared responsibility payment that are claimed through the tax filing process and how to claim them. 3. The Exchange-related components (Form 1095-A) of the Premium Tax Credit reconciliation process. xi. Execute all approved projects and tactics in the Navigator’s community outreach plan and any other projects assigned by the Exchange. II. Navigators will assist the Exchange with several initiatives including, but not limited to, the following: i. Community Outreach 1. Build a 12-month community outreach plan (the “Community Outreach Plan”) that: i. Helps reduce health disparities in communities around the state; ii. Engages, educates, informs, and helps increase enrollment so that Connecticut residents can get, keep, and use their health insurance plan benefit; iii. Identifies community partners who could actively support Access Health CT’s health equity initiatives and create opportunities for one-on-one conversations to help the hard to reach become more comfortable with health insurance; and iv. Features a small business outreach focus...