CHAPTER 37.2. HEALTH INSURANCE EDUCATOR

IC 27-1-37.2
    Chapter 37.2. Health Insurance Educator

IC 27-1-37.2-1
"Health benefit plan" defined
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "health benefit plan" meanscoverage for health care services provided under:
        (1) a policy of accident and sickness insurance (as defined inIC 27-8-5-1);
        (2) a contract with a health maintenance organization underIC 27-13; or
        (3) any other benefit program that provides payment,reimbursement, or indemnification for the costs of health careexcept:
            (A) worker's compensation or similar insurance; or
            (B) benefits provided under a certificate of exemption issuedby the worker's compensation board under IC 22-3-2-5.
As added by P.L.258-2001, SEC.1.

IC 27-1-37.2-2
"Health benefit plan provider" defined
    Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "health benefit plan provider"means a person that provides coverage under a health benefit plan.
As added by P.L.258-2001, SEC.1.

IC 27-1-37.2-3
"Health insurance educator" defined
    Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "health insurance educator" refersto the health insurance educator appointed under section 6 of thischapter.
As added by P.L.258-2001, SEC.1.

IC 27-1-37.2-4
"Position" defined
    Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "position" means the position ofhealth insurance educator established under section 5 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.258-2001, SEC.1.

IC 27-1-37.2-5
Establishment of position
    Sec. 5. The department shall establish the position of healthinsurance educator within the department.
As added by P.L.258-2001, SEC.1.

IC 27-1-37.2-6
Qualifications
    Sec. 6. The commissioner shall appoint a health insuranceeducator who must possess expertise in the areas of health benefitplans, education, and advocacy.
As added by P.L.258-2001, SEC.1.
IC 27-1-37.2-7
Contracts with nonprofit organizations
    Sec. 7. The department may contract with a nonprofit organizationto provide the services required under this chapter.
As added by P.L.258-2001, SEC.1.

IC 27-1-37.2-8
Duties; prohibitions
    Sec. 8. (a) The health insurance educator shall do the following:
        (1) Assist health benefit plan consumers in making informedchoices regarding health benefit plans by providing informationabout the following:
            (A) The purchase, or enrollment in, a health benefit plan.
            (B) The manner in which to resolve a dispute with a healthbenefit plan.
            (C) The method of filing a claim under a health benefit plan.
            (D) The availability of resources useful to a health benefitplan consumer.
            (E) Consumer rights and responsibilities under a healthbenefit plan.
            (F) Comparative information about health benefit plans toconsumers and purchasers of health benefit plans.
            (G) Other matters that may further a health benefit planconsumer's knowledge of health insurance benefit plans.
        (2) Apply to obtain funds through federal grants and any othersource. Any funds obtained shall be used to fulfill the purposesdescribed in subdivision (1).
    (b) Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1), the health insuranceeducator shall not:
        (1) recommend a particular company, insurance producer, orproduct; or
        (2) interpret or advise an individual regarding a particularcontract or disputed claim that is subject to the federalEmployee Retirement Income Security Act (29 U.S.C. 1001 etseq.).
As added by P.L.258-2001, SEC.1.