Iowa Navigator, a nonprofit that assists residents in selecting individual health insurance plans under the provisions of the Affordable Care Act, announced it has received a second year of federal grant funding to provide the free service. First Choice Services, working under a cooperative agreement with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, created the program in September 2019 to provide information about how the health insurance Marketplace operates. Jeremy Smith, program director for Iowa Navigator, said the service will be especially important this year due to the large number of people who have lost employer-provided health insurance due to COVID 19. Open enrollment for 2021 commences Nov. 1 and continues through Dec. 15. Iowa residents can call 515-978-9570 now to reserve a telephone appointment, or visit the Iowa Navigator website.