A federal appeals court has ruled Missouri cannot impose limitations that interfere with insurance navigators' ability to help consumers sign up for health coverage using HealthCare.gov, according to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report.
The navigator program was established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to help guide consumers and small businesses in their quest to purchase insurance plans through the exchanges. By law, navigators are organizations or individuals who are required to be unbiased and offer their services for free, helping consumers learn about their coverage options and how to enroll.
In 2013, Missouri passed legislation that put restrictions on navigators, including barring them from providing advice to consumers regarding certain benefits and features of plans offered on the federal exchange site, according to the report.
Consumer advocacy groups challenged the 2013 law, claiming it was unconstitutional. A federal district court imposed an injunction preventing key parts of the Missouri law from being enforced, and the decision was appealed by the Missouri Department of Insurance.
The federal appeals court upheld most of the lower court's injunction, meaning the law's limitations on navigator communications with consumers will not be limited as the law called for. However, the appeals court did rule that Missouri can require navigators to obtain a license, receive 30 hours of training and pay a small fee, according to the report.
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