Senate Committee Passes Health Care Exchange Navigator Legislation

The Senate Health Policy Committee passed legislation requiring an individual to be certified as an insurance navigator for an exchange established under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Senate Bill 324 (S-4) would require an individual to be certified as an insurance navigator before he or she could assist an individual in selecting a health insurance or could receive funding from a health insurance exchange. Additionally, the navigator would be required to provide education on the various qualified health plans and facilitate enrollment. However, a navigator would be prohibited from selling insurance or recommending a particular plan.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (MDIFS) would establish a certification and training program for navigators. The Department would also be provided full licensing enforcement authority for the prospective navigators.

The substitute version of the bill contains language addressing privacy concerns and the selling of information.

At the hearing, the MDFIS remained neutral on the bill. However, the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents, Michigan Primary Care Association, Michigan Association of Health Underwriters, and Michigan Health and Hospitals Association, supported the bill. The bill now heads to the full Senate.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, June 14, 2013 1:55 PM
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