A. No person shall act as a Navigator unless the person is registered pursuant to Article 7 (§ 38.2-3455 et seq.) of Chapter 34 and is certified by either the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Exchange.
B. The Exchange shall establish a program under which it shall award grants to Navigators to carry out the following duties:
1. Conduct public education activities to raise awareness of the availability of qualified health plans, qualified dental plans, the State Medicaid Program, and FAMIS;
2. Distribute fair and impartial information concerning enrollment in qualified health plans, qualified dental plans, the State Medicaid Program, and FAMIS and the availability of premium tax credits under § 36B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and cost-sharing reductions under § 1402 of the Federal Act;
3. Provide in-person assistance to facilitate enrollment in qualified health plans, qualified dental plans, the State Medicaid Program, and FAMIS;
4. Provide referrals to any applicable office of health insurance consumer assistance or health insurance ombudsman established under § 2793 of the PHSA, or any other appropriate state agency or agencies, for any enrollee with a grievance, complaint, or question regarding his health benefit plan, coverage, or a determination under that plan or coverage;
5. Provide information in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate to the needs of the population being served by the Exchange and ensure accessibility and usability of Navigator tools and functions for individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (P.L. 101-336) and § 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as required by 45 C.F.R. § 155.210; and
6. Assist consumers with post-enrollment activities, including completing verification requests, accessing Special Enrollment Periods, accessing health insurance related tax forms, and assisting with complex cases and appeals.
C. To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection B, a Navigator shall demonstrate to the Exchange involved that it has existing relationships, or could readily establish relationships, with employers and employees, consumers, including uninsured and underinsured consumers, or self-employed individuals likely to be qualified to enroll in a qualified health plan.
D. The Exchange shall develop standards, consistent with any standards developed by the Secretary, to ensure that information made available by Navigators is fair, accurate, and impartial.
E. Navigators shall comply with all requirements of Article 7 (§ 38.2-3455 et seq.) of Chapter 34, including successful completion of training programs established by the Exchange for individual Navigators.
2020, cc. 916, 917.