State Health Insurance Assistance Program

A State shall submit a plan for a State-wide SHIP program. Such program shall –
A) Establish or improve upon a health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program that provides counseling and assistance to eligible individuals in need of health insurance information, including:
i) Information that may assist individuals in obtaining benefits and filing claims under titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act;
ii) Policy comparison information for Medicare supplemental policies (as described in section 1882(g)(1) of the Social Security Act) and information that may assist individuals in filing claims under Medicare supplemental policies;
iii) Information regarding long-term care insurance; and
iv) Information regarding other types of health insurance benefits that the Secretary determines to be appropriate;
B) In conjunction with the health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program described in subparagraph (A), establish a system of referral to appropriate Federal or State departments or agencies for assistance with problems related to health insurance coverage (including legal problems), as determined by the Secretary;
C) Provide for a sufficient number of staff positions (including volunteer positions) necessary to provide the services of the health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program;
D) Provide assurances that staff members (including volunteer staff members) of the health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program have no conflict of interest in providing the counseling described in subparagraph (A);
E) Provide for the collection and dissemination of timely and accurate health care information to staff members;
F) Provide for training programs for staff members (including volunteer staff members);
G) Provide for the coordination of the exchange of health insurance information between the staff of departments and agencies of the State government and the staff of the health insurance information, counseling, and assistance program;
H) Make recommendations concerning consumer issues and complaints related to the provision of health care to agencies and departments of the State government and the Federal Government responsible for providing or regulating health insurance;
I) Establish an outreach program to provide the health insurance information and counseling described in subparagraph (A) and the referrals described in subparagraph (B) to eligible individuals; and
J) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Secretary, an ability to provide the counseling and assistance required under this section.