Insurance officials encourage verification of navigators when seeking health coverage assistance

ATLANTA — Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens is advising Georgians who will seek assistance in purchasing health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, or www.healthcare.gov, to verify that they are dealing with an appropriately licensed individual before sharing any personal information.

The ACA created navigators and certified application counselors who are authorized to help enroll Georgians in health insurance coverage through the exchange. In 2013, the General Assembly passed House Bill 198, which requires those individuals to obtain a license through the Georgia Department of Insurance.

“My office requires individuals applying to become a Navigator or Certified Application Counselor to pass a test and undergo a criminal background check before getting licensed,” Hudgens said. “These requirements help protect consumers from unqualified or dishonest people who would otherwise be operating in our state.”

Currently, the insurance department has about 127 licensed navigators and certified application counselors. Hudgens also reminds consumers that they can work with their own health insurance agent to obtain coverage from the exchange.

To confirm whether a navigator or certified application counselor is currently licensed, consumers can call the state Department of Insurance toll-free at (800) 656-2298 or go online to www.oci.ga.gov/Navigators/.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has designated Dec. 15 as the cut-off for the open enrollment period for the health care marketplace. The marketplace is where Georgians can shop for health insurance coverage on the federally facilitated exchange.