AZ SB1524

Establishes the Arizona Health Insurance Exchange, a marketplace where individuals and small employers (50 or fewer employees) can purchase qualified health benefit plans, required to be operational by January 1, 2014.

Creates a 9-member Arizona Health Insurance Exchange Board consisting of the directors of the Department of Insurance and Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System Administration, three governor-appointed members (including a patient advocate), and four legislative appointees to govern the exchange.

Requires health insurers to offer certified qualified health plans meeting federal standards, including at least bronze-level coverage with specified cost-sharing limits, and prohibits exclusion of plans based on fee-for-service delivery or arbitrary premium controls.

Establishes an Arizona Health Insurance Exchange Fund financed through federal planning grants and premium assessments, with monies continuously appropriated for exchange operations, the navigator program, and related purposes.

Requires the exchange to provide enrollment assistance, maintain a website with standardized plan comparisons, assist eligible individuals in enrolling in Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System and children's health insurance programs, and report annually to the legislature on operations and financial status.