Fox Valley residents appeared to put a timid toe into the new pool of insurance coverage options offered during the first week of the exchanges created by President Barack Obama's new health care law.

VNA Health Care hosts one of the larger contingents of "navigators" in the Fox Valley. The organization has about 25 trained, background-checked navigators who are assisting local residents in determining their medical coverage options now that the exchanges are open for business. VNA hopes to eventually have 50 navigators in the field assisting residents.

Interactive graphic Health care enrollment guide

Interactive graphic Health care calculator

Advertisement

Interviews with some of the current navigators show local residents have been somewhat slow to come to the exchanges, but the pace is building as more information becomes available.

Nadia Daley is one of the VNA's navigators. She helped about 10 individuals and families in the first week of the exchanges.

"When people come in, most say, 'I heard I can get insurance, and I really, really want insurance. So, I'm here for you to help me get insurance,'" Daley said. "That's their main concern, especially if they have somebody ill their family or have a pre-existing condition. Basically, the door to insurance has been opened, and everyone is just pushing to get in."

View post:

VNA Health Care helps residents navigate new requirements