Committee Approves Bill Regulating Healthcare Exchange Navigators

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Senate Banking and Insurance Committee on Tuesday, February 3 approved legislation that would provide essential protection of consumers’ rights and personal information under the federal health care act, according to Committee Chairman Senator Don White.

Senate Bill 293, also known as the Navigator Accessibility and Regulation Act, would require Healthcare Exchange Navigators be certified by the Department of Insurance and pass a criminal background check. The measure, introduced by Senator John Eichelberger, is now headed to the full Senate for consideration.

The federal Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) relies on individuals, generally called “navigators,” to educate and enroll millions of uninsured Americans in either Medicaid or a private insurance plan. Although in many respects these navigators act like insurance agents, they have almost no qualifications or restrictions placed upon them.

White said he felt Senate Bill 293 is important to protect consumers of health care programs.

“As a career insurance counselor, I found that there was something missing with the Navagators under the health care reform act. These Navigators are privy to some of people’s most personal information - especially financial. As a result, I felt that at least regulation should be as strident as they are for any normal insurance professional who has to go through a licensing process. There have been problems in other parts of the country with these people and I think the background check is truly imperative.”

The Banking and Insurance Committee also approved Senate Bill 397, a measure introduced by Senator Richard Alloway that would privatize and regulate the Bail Bondsman industry in Pennsylvania.