Licensing and requirements therefor

(a) No navigator shall provide advice, guidance, or other assistance with regard to health benefit plans as a navigator under the provisions of the federal act unless licensed in accordance with this article. (b) The Commissioner shall not issue a license to any applicant who does not meet or conform to the following qualifications or requirements: (1) The applicant shall establish to the satisfaction of the Commissioner that he or she has the background, experience, knowledge, and competency in the subject matter that will enable him or her to deliver accurate information and advice to individuals and groups in this state seeking to obtain health insurance coverage under the provisions of the federal act; (2) The applicant shall have successfully completed not less than 35 hours of instruction in health benefit insurance, the exchange provisions of the federal act, the medical assistance program provided for by Article 7 of Chapter 4 of Title 49, and the PeachCare for Kids Program provided for by Article 13 of Chapter 5 of Title 49 satisfactory to the Commissioner through a training program approved by the Commissioner; (3) The applicant shall pass such examination as shall be required by the Commissioner unless such applicant is exempted by the Commissioner based on the applicant’s experience and qualifications and pursuant to regulations adopted by the Commissioner; (4) An applicant shall be not less than 18 years of age and of good moral character and must submit in a form approved by the Commissioner such information, including without limitation criminal history and regulatory background information, as the Commissioner may require; and (5) An applicant for a renewal license shall have completed continuing education classes approved by the Commissioner. 89 33-23-203 History. — Code 1981, § 33-23-202, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 780, § 1/HB 198. 33-23-203. Violations; limitation on solicitations; navigator compensation, responsibilities, and limitations. (a) Violation of any provision of this title or the federal act, including any act or omission that would be a ground for denial, suspension, or revocation of the license of an agent as defined in Article 1 of this chapter, shall be a ground for denial, suspension, or revocation of a license under this article. (b) No navigators shall solicit any person or business that is currently insured under an existing health benefit plan. (c) No navigator shall receive any commission, compensation, or anything of value from any insurer, health benefit plan, business, or consumer for providing advice or services specifically authorized to be provided as a navigator pursuant to the provisions of the federal act. Navigators shall be compensated for advice or services rendered pursuant to the provisions of the federal act only as provided for by the federal act. (d) Navigators shall provide factually accurate information to uninsured persons and businesses regarding the availability of premium tax credits under Section 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and cost-sharing reductions under Section 1402 of the federal act. (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, licensing as a navigator pursuant to the provisions of this article shall not constitute licensing as an agent or administrator as defined in Articles 1 and 2 of this chapter. No person providing advice or services as a navigator under the provisions of the federal act shall be compensated for such advice or services as the holder of a license issued pursuant to Article 1 or 2 of this chapter; provided, however, that the provisions of this subsection shall not prohibit the holder of a license issued pursuant to such articles from being compensated for advice or services rendered as such a licensee and not as a navigator. Navigators licensed pursuant to the provisions of this article shall not, except as specifically authorized by the provisions of the federal act: (1) Engage in any activities that would require licensing pursuant to the provisions of Article 1 or 2 of this chapter unless licensed thereunder; (2) Provide advice concerning the benefits, terms, and features of a particular health benefit plan or offer advice about which health benefit plan is better or worse for a particular individual or business, 90 33-23-205 except in the capacity of a licensee pursuant to the provisions of Article 1 or 2 of this chapter; or (3) Recommend a particular health benefit plan or advise individuals or businesses about which health benefit plan to choose, except in the capacity of a licensee pursuant to the provisions of Article 1 or 2 of this chapter. History. — Code 1981, § 33-23-203, enacted by Ga. L. 2013, p. 780, § 1/HB 198.