Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires health care exchange navigators to obtain certification.

Highlights:

• Defines “Federal Health Insurance Act” as The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as amended by the Healthcare Educational Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Sec. 2).
• Defines “navigator” as an organization or individual under the Federal Health Care Act that provides public education or consumer assistance activities for a health insurance exchange to uninsured individuals and groups seeking health insurance coverage (Sec. 2).
• Defines “exchange assister” as an individual or organization, including a navigator, navigator organization or certified application counselor who provides public education or assists
• consumers for or on behalf of an exchange, and does not include a licensed insurance producer or an employee of a health care facility (Sec. 2).
• Requires a navigator or an exchange assister to submit an application and be approved by the Insurance Department of the Commonwealth upon meeting including certain requirements, but not limited to, the following requirements (Sec. 3):
• The applicant is of at least 18 years of age;
• The applicant has not had a license as an insurance producer denied, suspended or revoked; and
• The applicant passes a criminal background check.
• Prohibits a navigator or an exchange assister from engaging in any activity other than informing consumers of the availability of health insurance plans of the exchange, including, but not limited to, the following activities (Sec. 4):
• Selling, soliciting or negotiating insurance;
• Urging or advising a prospective purchaser to buy a particular policy or to insure with a particular company; and
• Providing information or services related to health benefit plans or other products other than those offered in the health insurance marketplace, including the SHOP Exchange, the Children's Health Insurance Program, or any other product available through the Social Security Act.

Full Bill Text