§300gg–93 Health Insurance Consumer Information

Summary

The federal government will give grants so States (or the insurance Marketplaces in those States) can set up or support offices that help people with health insurance or run ombudsman programs. To get a grant, a State must name an independent help office or ombudsman that answers and handles questions and complaints about health coverage under federal and State rules, working with State insurance regulators and consumer groups. These offices must help file complaints and appeals, track and record problems people report, teach people about their coverage rights, help with enrollment, and help resolve issues with premium tax credits. Offices that get grants must collect and report data on the problems they see. The federal Secretary will use that data to find where more enforcement is needed and will share it with State insurance regulators, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of the Treasury. The law provides $30,000,000 for the first fiscal year, available without a time limit, and allows more funds to be appropriated in later years as needed.