83R2860 JRR-D
By: Guillen H.B. No. 459
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a navigator program as described by the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle G, Title 8, Insurance Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 1509 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 1509. NAVIGATOR PROGRAM
Sec. 1509.001. NAVIGATOR PROGRAM. (a) The department
shall:
(1) establish a navigator program as described by
Section 1311(i), Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42
U.S.C. Section 18031(i));
(2) select entities qualified to serve as navigators
in accordance with Section 1311(i), Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. Section 18031(i)), and standards
developed by the secretary of the United States Department of
Health and Human Services;
(3) adopt rules governing the certification of a
navigator;
(4) certify navigators as able to carry out the duties
required by Section 1311(i)(3), Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act (42 U.S.C. Section 18031(i)(3)); and
(5) provide training to navigators.
(b) At a minimum, training under this section must:
(1) enable a navigator to provide individuals and
enrollees with complete and accurate information about coverages
available through a health care exchange formed in compliance with
Section 1311, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C.
Section 18031); and
(2) educate navigators regarding how, and under what
circumstances, to refer an individual or enrollee to an agent
licensed under Section 4054.051.
(c) The department may charge a reasonable fee for training
services provided under this section, except that the department
may not charge a fee to a navigator that is a nonprofit, tax-exempt
organization listed in Section 501(c) or (d) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, including a faith-based organization.
(d) A navigator may not:
(1) sell, solicit the sale or purchase of, or
negotiate concerning the sale of health benefit plan coverage; or
(2) receive a commission from a health benefit plan
issuer or other insurer.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.