Signed by Governor Jan Brewer

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that requires federal health care navigators to become licensed and undergo background checks, effective October 1, 2014.

Highlights:

• Requires an individual applying for a “navigator” or a “certified application counselor” license to submit an application form to the Director of Insurance that includes the following information (Sec. 3):
• The applicant’s identity and personal history; 
• The applicant’s business record;
• The applicant’s experience in insurance; and
• Any other pertinent fact required by the Director.

• Defines “navigator” as an individual who is certified or compensated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and licensed to facilitate enrollment in qualified health plans (Sec. 3). 

• Defines “certified application counselor” as an individual who is authorized by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to facilitate enrollment of eligible individuals in qualified health plans and insurance affordability programs (Sec. 3).

• Requires an individual applying for a navigator or a certified application counselor license to meet certain requirements including, but not limited to, the following requirements (Sec. 3):
• He or she has not been convicted of a misdemeanor involving fraud or dishonesty;
• He or she has provided evidence of navigator certification from the United States  Department of Health and Human Services; and
• He or she has successfully completed a criminal history records check and submitted a full set of fingerprints.

• Prohibits a navigator or a certified application counselor from certain actions, unless otherwise authorized to do so, including, but not limited to, the following actions (Sec. 3):
• The sale, solicitation, or negotiation of insurance;
• The recommendation or endorsement about the benefits, terms, and features of a particular health benefit plan; or
• The distribution of any information or services related to a health benefit plan or other product not offered in the exchange.

• Exempts a navigator or certified application counselor, solely working tribal lands in Arizona, who has previously completed a security background investigation, including a criminal history record check and fingerprinting (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires federal health care navigators to become licensed and undergo background checks, effective October 1, 2014.

Highlights:

• Requires an individual applying for a “navigator” or a “certified application counselor” license to submit an application form to the Director of Insurance that includes the following information (Sec. 3):
• The applicant’s identity and personal history; 
• The applicant’s business record;
• The applicant’s experience in insurance; and
• Any other pertinent fact required by the Director.

• Defines “navigator” as an individual who is certified or compensated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and licensed to facilitate enrollment in qualified health plans (Sec. 3). 

• Defines “certified application counselor” as an individual who is authorized by the United States Department of Health and Human Services to facilitate enrollment of eligible individuals in qualified health plans and insurance affordability programs (Sec. 3).

• Requires an individual applying for a navigator or a certified application counselor license to meet certain requirements including, but not limited to, the following requirements (Sec. 3):
• He or she has not been convicted of a misdemeanor involving fraud or dishonesty;
• He or she has provided evidence of navigator certification from the United States  Department of Health and Human Services; and
• He or she has successfully completed a criminal history records check and submitted a full set of fingerprints.

• Prohibits a navigator or a certified application counselor from certain actions, unless otherwise authorized to do so, including, but not limited to, the following actions (Sec. 3):
• The sale, solicitation, or negotiation of insurance;
• The recommendation or endorsement about the benefits, terms, and features of a particular health benefit plan; or
• The distribution of any information or services related to a health benefit plan or other product not offered in the exchange.

• Exempts a navigator or certified application counselor, solely working tribal lands in Arizona, who has previously completed a security background investigation, including a criminal history record check and fingerprinting (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text