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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a navigator program as described by the |
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Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle G, Title 8, Insurance Code, is amended |
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by adding Chapter 1509 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 1509. NAVIGATOR PROGRAM |
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Sec. 1509.001. NAVIGATOR PROGRAM. (a) The department |
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shall: |
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(1) establish a navigator program as described by |
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Section 1311(i), Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 |
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U.S.C. Section 18031(i)); |
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(2) select entities qualified to serve as navigators |
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in accordance with Section 1311(i), Patient Protection and |
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Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. Section 18031(i)), and standards |
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developed by the secretary of the United States Department of |
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Health and Human Services; |
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(3) adopt rules governing the certification of a |
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navigator; |
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(4) certify navigators as able to carry out the duties |
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required by Section 1311(i)(3), Patient Protection and Affordable |
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Care Act (42 U.S.C. Section 18031(i)(3)); and |
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(5) provide training to navigators. |
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(b) At a minimum, training under this section must: |
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(1) enable a navigator to provide individuals and |
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enrollees with complete and accurate information about coverages |
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available through a health care exchange formed in compliance with |
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Section 1311, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (42 U.S.C. |
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Section 18031); and |
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(2) educate navigators regarding how, and under what |
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circumstances, to refer an individual or enrollee to an agent |
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licensed under Section 4054.051. |
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(c) The department may charge a reasonable fee for training |
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services provided under this section, except that the department |
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may not charge a fee to a navigator that is a nonprofit, tax-exempt |
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organization listed in Section 501(c) or (d) of the Internal |
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Revenue Code of 1986, including a faith-based organization. |
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(d) A navigator may not: |
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(1) sell, solicit the sale or purchase of, or |
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negotiate concerning the sale of health benefit plan coverage; or |
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(2) receive a commission from a health benefit plan |
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issuer or other insurer. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |