2015 US Code
Title 42 - The Public Health and Welfare (Sections 1 - 18445)
Chapter 6A - Public Health Service (Sections 201 - 300mm-61)
Subchapter XXV - Requirements Relating to Health Insurance Coverage (Sections 300gg - 300gg-95)
Part C - Definitions; Miscellaneous Provisions (Sections 300gg-91 - 300gg-95)
Sec. 300gg-93 - Health insurance consumer information
Publication Title | United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 3, Title 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE |
Category | Bills and Statutes |
Collection | United States Code |
SuDoc Class Number | Y 1.2/5: |
Contained Within | Title 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE CHAPTER 6A - PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE SUBCHAPTER XXV - REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE Part C - Definitions; Miscellaneous Provisions Sec. 300gg-93 - Health insurance consumer information |
Contains | section 300gg-93 |
Date | 2015 |
Laws In Effect As Of Date | January 3, 2016 |
Positive Law | No |
Disposition | standard |
Source Credit | July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, §2793, as added Pub. L. 111-148, title I, §1002, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 138. |
Statutes at Large Reference | 124 Stat. 138 |
Public and Private Law | Public Law 111-148 |
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The Secretary shall award grants to States to enable such States (or the Exchanges operating in such States) to establish, expand, or provide support for—
(1) offices of health insurance consumer assistance; or
(2) health insurance ombudsman programs.
(b) Eligibility(1) In generalTo be eligible to receive a grant, a State shall designate an independent office of health insurance consumer assistance, or an ombudsman, that, directly or in coordination with State health insurance regulators and consumer assistance organizations, receives and responds to inquiries and complaints concerning health insurance coverage with respect to Federal health insurance requirements and under State law.
(2) CriteriaA State that receives a grant under this section shall comply with criteria established by the Secretary for carrying out activities under such grant.
(c) DutiesThe office of health insurance consumer assistance or health insurance ombudsman shall—
(1) assist with the filing of complaints and appeals, including filing appeals with the internal appeal or grievance process of the group health plan or health insurance issuer involved and providing information about the external appeal process;
(2) collect, track, and quantify problems and inquiries encountered by consumers;
(3) educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities with respect to group health plans and health insurance coverage;
(4) assist consumers with enrollment in a group health plan or health insurance coverage by providing information, referral, and assistance; and
(5) resolve problems with obtaining premium tax credits under section 36B of title 26.
(d) Data collectionAs a condition of receiving a grant under subsection (a), an office of health insurance consumer assistance or ombudsman program shall be required to collect and report data to the Secretary on the types of problems and inquiries encountered by consumers. The Secretary shall utilize such data to identify areas where more enforcement action is necessary and shall share such information with State insurance regulators, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of the Treasury for use in the enforcement activities of such agencies.
(e) Funding(1) Initial fundingThere is hereby appropriated to the Secretary, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $30,000,000 for the first fiscal year for which this section applies to carry out this section. Such amount shall remain available without fiscal year limitation.
(2) Authorization for subsequent yearsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for each fiscal year following the fiscal year described in paragraph (1), such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, §2793, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title I, §1002, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 138.)
EFFECTIVE DATESection effective for fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2010, see section 1004(a) of Pub. L. 111–148, set out as a note under section 300gg–11 of this title.
Section effective Mar. 23, 2010, see section 1004(b) of Pub. L. 111–148, set out as a note under section 300gg–11 of this title.
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