Title 38.2. Insurance
Chapter 34. Provisions Relating to Accident and Sickness Insurance
Article 7. Navigators.
§ 38.2-3455. Definitions.As used in this article, unless the context requires otherwise:
"Exchange" means either a (i) federal health benefit exchange established by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to § 1321 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act codified as 42 U.S.C. § 18041(c) in the Commonwealth or (ii) state-based exchange established pursuant to Chapter 65 (§ 38.2-6500 et seq.) and § 1311 (b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act codified as 42 U.S.C. § 18031.
"Health carrier" has the same meaning assigned to that term in § 38.2-3438.
"Navigator" means an individual or entity described in 42 U.S.C. § 1311(i)(2) that is selected to perform the activities and duties identified in 42 U.S.C. § 18031 (i) in the Commonwealth. "Navigator" does not include an individual or entity licensed as an agent under Chapter 18 (§ 38.2-1800 et seq.) of this title to sell, solicit, or negotiate contracts of insurance or annuity in the Commonwealth.
"Other affordable care options" means the programs provided under the state plan for medical assistance services pursuant to pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended, and the Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) Plan developed pursuant to Title XXI of the Social Security Act, as amended.
"Qualified dental plan" means a limited scope dental plan that has in effect a certification that the plan meets the criteria for certification described in § 1311(d)(2)(B)(ii) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148, as amended.
"Qualified health plan" means a health benefit plan that has in effect a certification that the plan meets the criteria for certification described in § 1311(c) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, P.L. 111-148, as amended.
"Secretary" means the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
2013, cc. 595, 791; 2014, cc. 752, 769; 2020, cc. 916, 917.
§ 38.2-3456. Prohibited activities.A. A navigator shall not:
1. Engage in any activity that would require an insurance agent license under this title;
2. Offer advice about which qualified health plan or qualified dental plan is better or worse for a particular individual or employer;
3. Act as an intermediary between an employer and an insurer that offers a qualified health plan or qualified dental plan offered through an exchange;
4. Violate any unfair trade practice and privacy requirements in §§ 38.2-502, 38.2-503, 38.2-506, 38.2-509, 38.2-512, 38.2-515, 38.2-612.1, 38.2-613, and 38.2-614 to the extent such requirements are applicable to the activities of navigators; or
5. Receive compensation for services or duties as a navigator that are prohibited by federal law, including compensation from a health carrier.
B. An individual or entity shall not claim to be, or otherwise hold himself or itself out as, a navigator or conduct business as a navigator in the Commonwealth without:
1. Having been selected as a navigator in accordance with applicable federal or state law;
2. Having evidence of successful completion of all navigator requirements prescribed by the Secretary or the Exchange; and
3. Having met requirements established pursuant to § 38.2-3457.
C. If an individual or entity has engaged in the Commonwealth in one or more of the prohibited activities identified in this section, a complaint may be filed with the Commission. The Commission, upon investigation and verification of the prohibited activity or activities, may order such individual or entity to cease and desist such prohibited conduct.
2013, cc. 595, 791; 2014, cc. 752, 769; 2020, cc. 916, 917.
§ 38.2-3457. Application for registration.A. On or after September 1, 2014, no individual or entity shall act as a navigator in the Commonwealth unless such individual or entity has been certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Exchange and registered with the Commission.
B. An application for registration under this article shall be in the form and containing the information the Commission prescribes. Each applicant shall, at the time of applying for registration, pay a nonrefundable application processing fee in an amount and in a manner prescribed by the Commission. A criminal history record report shall accompany each individual registration application.
C. The Commission shall register the applicant if it finds that the character and general fitness of the applicant are such as to warrant belief that the applicant will act as a navigator fairly, in the public interest, and in accordance with law.
2014, cc. 752, 769; 2020, cc. 916, 917.
§ 38.2-3458. Power of Commission to investigate navigators.A. The Commission shall have the power to examine and investigate the affairs of any person engaged or alleged to be engaged in navigator activities in the Commonwealth to determine whether the individual or entity has engaged or is engaging in any violation of this article.
B. Each registered navigator shall report to the Commission within 30 calendar days the following: (i) any action taken by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to decertify the navigator; (ii) upon conviction of a felony, the facts and circumstances surrounding that conviction; and (iii) the disposition of the matter of any administrative action taken against the navigator in another jurisdiction or by another governmental agency in the Commonwealth.
§ 38.2-3459. Grounds for termination, placing on probation, revocation, or suspension of registration.A. If the Commission determines that a registered navigator has violated this article, or any order or regulation adopted thereunder, after notice and opportunity to be heard, the Commission may impose a penalty in accordance with §§ 38.2-218 and 38.2-219 and place on probation, suspend, or revoke any individual's or entity's registration.
B. The registration of any navigator shall terminate immediately when such navigator becomes decertified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Exchange, as applicable.
2014, cc. 752, 769; 2020, cc. 916, 917.
§ 38.2-3460. Sufficiency of federal requirements; additional standards and qualifications for navigators.The Commission may determine whether the standards and qualifications for navigators provided by 42 U.S.C. § 18031 and any regulations enacted thereunder are sufficient to ensure that navigators can perform the required duties. If the Commission determines that the standards and qualifications are insufficient, the Commission shall adopt regulations establishing additional standards and qualifications to ensure that navigators can perform their required duties.
