Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.) has called HHS' decision to cut required training hours for health insurance exchange navigators irresponsible.
Scaling back the navigator training from 30 to 20 hours seems to be "yet another indication that the law is not ready to be implemented," Rep. Black wrote in a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The letter states that training hours are crucial to readiness, effectiveness and quality of care.
Navigators are trained professionals who will help consumers learn about and apply for coverage when the new health insurance marketplaces begin open enrollment under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. CMS finalized the standards for navigators in July.
Rep. Black asked Secretary Sebelius to provide more information regarding navigator training, such as a detailed explanation of why training hours were reduced and what material in particular was removed from the training program.
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