HB 877 Summary

• Establishes a certification program for health insurance navigators under the Affordable Care Act, administered by the North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance.

• Requires navigators to complete pre-certification training, sign an ethics and code of conduct agreement, and register with the Commissioner; navigator certificates are valid for two years and renewable with continuing education.

• Prohibits navigators from soliciting people with existing health plans, receiving compensation from insurers or health plans, providing comparative advice about specific plans, or engaging in activities requiring insurance producer licensing.

• Requires certified navigator entities to report quarterly to the Commissioner on counseling sessions conducted, nature and results of counseling, demographic information, and notify the Commissioner within 30 days of terminating any navigator.

• Appropriates $580,187 for fiscal year 2013-2014 and $351,974 for 2014-2015 to the Department of Insurance, with authorization to create two full-time positions; effective January 1, 2014.