95% percent of ICO navigators have completed state and federal training and licensure.
In August, the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) was one of 11 organizations in Illinois to receive a federal Navigator Grant, which aims to help consumers understand the new Health Insurance Marketplace. Nationally, $67 million was awarded; at $504,016, ICO’s award was the second highest in the state. Handling more than 100,000 patient visits annually, ICO’s teaching clinic, the Illinois Eye Institute, is implementing the Navigator Counseling Program and will continue its work to help Chicago’s vulnerable populations.