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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>76462</law_id><section_number>38.2-6505</section_number><catch_line>Duties of Exchange</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="38.2">Insurance</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="65">Virginia Health Benefit Exchange</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The Exchange shall:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Implement procedures for the certification, recertification, and decertification of <span class="dictionary">qualified health plans</span> and <span class="dictionary">qualified dental plans</span> consistent with guidelines developed by the <span class="dictionary">Secretary</span> under &#xA7; 1311(c) of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span> and &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Certification of health benefit plans as qualified health plans" href="/38.2-6506/">38.2-6506</a>; <a id="paragraph-274449" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Provide for enrollment periods under &#xA7; 1311(c)(6) of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span>; <a id="paragraph-274450" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Provide for the operation of a toll-free telephone hotline to respond to requests for assistance; <a id="paragraph-274451" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> Utilize a website on which enrollees and prospective enrollees of <span class="dictionary">qualified health plans</span> and <span class="dictionary">qualified dental plans</span> may obtain standardized comparative information. Information on <span class="dictionary">qualified health plans</span> shall include, at a minimum, (i) premium and cost-sharing information; (ii) the summary of benefits and coverage offered; (iii) identification of a <span class="dictionary">qualified health plan</span> as a bronze-level, silver-level, gold-level, or platinum-level plan as defined by &#xA7; 1302(d) of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span> or a catastrophic plan as defined by &#xA7; 1302(e) of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span>; (iv) the results of enrollee satisfaction surveys, described in &#xA7; 1311(c)(4) of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span>; (v) quality ratings assigned pursuant to &#xA7; 1311(c)(3) of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span>; (vi) medical loss ratio information as reported to the <span class="dictionary">Secretary</span> in accordance with 45 C.F.R. Part 158; (vii) transparency of coverage measures reported to the Exchange during certification processes; and (viii) the provider directory made available to the Exchange. The website shall be accessible to <span class="dictionary">persons</span> with disabilities, shall provide meaningful access for <span class="dictionary">persons</span> with limited English proficiency, and shall contain the information described in clauses (i) through (viii) without <span class="dictionary">diversion</span> to a website of a <span class="dictionary">carrier</span>; <a id="paragraph-274452" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Assign a rating to each <span class="dictionary">qualified health plan</span> offered through the Exchange in accordance with the criteria developed by the <span class="dictionary">Secretary</span> under &#xA7; 1311(c)(3) of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span>; <a id="paragraph-274453" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> Determine each <span class="dictionary">qualified health plan</span>&#x2019;s level of coverage in accordance with regulations issued by the <span class="dictionary">Secretary</span> under &#xA7; 1302(d)(2)(A) of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span>; <a id="paragraph-274454" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> Use a standardized format for presenting health benefit options in the Exchange, including the use of the uniform outline of coverage as established under &#xA7; 2715 of the <span class="dictionary">PHSA</span>, 42 U.S.C. &#xA7; 300gg-15; <a id="paragraph-274455" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> Inform individuals, in accordance with &#xA7; 1413 of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span>, of eligibility requirements for (i) the <span class="dictionary">State Medicaid Program</span>; (ii) the Children&#x2019;s Health <span class="dictionary">Insurance</span> Program (CHIP) under Title XXI of the Social Security Act, including <span class="dictionary">FAMIS</span>, as amended from time to time; or (iii) any applicable state or local public health subsidy program, and enroll an individual in such program if it is determined, through screening of the application, that such individual is eligible for any such program; <a id="paragraph-274456" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> Make available by electronic means through the website described in subdivision 4 a calculator to determine the actual cost of coverage after application of any premium assistance tax credit under 26 U.S.C. &#xA7; 36B and any cost-sharing reduction under &#xA7; 1402 of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span>; <a id="paragraph-274457" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> Establish an <span class="dictionary">American Health Benefit Exchange</span> through which <span class="dictionary">qualified individuals</span> may enroll in any <span class="dictionary">qualified health plan</span> or <span class="dictionary">qualified dental plan</span> offered through the <span class="dictionary">American Health Benefit Exchange</span> for which they are eligible and establish a <span class="dictionary">SHOP exchange</span> through which <span class="dictionary">qualified employers</span> may make their <span class="dictionary">eligible employees</span> eligible for one or more <span class="dictionary">qualified health plans</span> or <span class="dictionary">qualified dental plans</span> offered through the <span class="dictionary">SHOP exchange</span> or specify a level of coverage so that any of their <span class="dictionary">eligible employees</span> may enroll in any <span class="dictionary">qualified health plan</span> or <span class="dictionary">qualified dental plan</span> offered through the <span class="dictionary">SHOP exchange</span> at the specified level of coverage; <a id="paragraph-274458" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="11"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> Subject to &#xA7; 1411 of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span>, grant a certification attesting that, for purposes of the individual responsibility <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> under &#xA7; 5000A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, an individual is exempt from the individual responsibility requirement or from the <span class="dictionary">penalty</span> imposed by that section because there is no affordable <span class="dictionary">qualified health plan</span> available through the Exchange, or the individual&#x2019;s employer, covering the individual or the individual meets the requirements for any other such exemption from the individual responsibility requirement or <span class="dictionary">penalty</span>; <a id="paragraph-274459" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="12"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> Transfer to the U.S. <span class="dictionary">Secretary</span> of the Treasury the following:
			a. A list of the individuals who are issued a certification under subdivision 11, including the name and taxpayer identification number of each individual;
			b. The name and taxpayer identification number of each individual who was an employee of an employer but who was determined to be eligible for the premium assistance tax credit under 26 U.S.C. &#xA7; 36B because (i) the employer did not provide <span class="dictionary">minimum essential coverage</span> or (ii) the employer provided <span class="dictionary">minimum essential coverage</span> but a determination under 26 U.S.C. &#xA7; 36B(c)(2)(C) found that either the coverage was unaffordable for the employee or did not provide the required minimum actuarial value; and
			c. The name and taxpayer identification number of (i) each individual who notifies the Exchange under 42 U.S.C. &#xA7; 18081 that the individual has changed employers and (ii) each individual who ceases coverage under a <span class="dictionary">qualified health plan</span> and the effective date of the cessation; <a id="paragraph-274460" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="13"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> Provide to each employer the name of each of the employer&#x2019;s employees described in subdivision 12 b who ceases coverage under a <span class="dictionary">qualified health plan</span> during a plan year and the effective date of the cessation; <a id="paragraph-274461" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="14"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> Perform duties required of the Exchange by the <span class="dictionary">Secretary</span> or the U.S. <span class="dictionary">Secretary</span> of the Treasury related to determining eligibility for premium assistance tax credits, reduced cost-sharing, or individual responsibility requirement exemptions; <a id="paragraph-274462" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="15"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> Certify entities qualified to serve as <span class="dictionary">Navigators</span> in accordance with &#xA7; 1311(i) of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span> and &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Navigators" href="/38.2-6513/">38.2-6513</a>; <a id="paragraph-274463" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="16"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> Consult with stakeholders relevant to carrying out the activities required under this chapter, including:
			a. Health care consumers who are enrollees in <span class="dictionary">qualified health plans</span> and <span class="dictionary">qualified dental plans</span>;
			b. Individuals and entities with experience in facilitating enrollment in <span class="dictionary">qualified health plans</span> and <span class="dictionary">qualified dental plans</span>;
			c. Advocates for enrolling hard-to-reach populations, which include individuals with mental health or substance use disorders;
			d. Representatives of small businesses and self-employed individuals;
			e. The Department of Medical Assistance Services;
			f. Federally recognized tribes, as defined in the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. &#xA7; 479a), that are located within the Exchange&#x2019;s geographic area;
			g. Public health experts;
			h. Health care providers;
			i. Large employers;
			j. <span class="dictionary">Health carriers</span>; and
			k. <span class="dictionary">Insurance agents</span>; <a id="paragraph-274464" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="17"><p><span class="prefix-number">17.</span> Meet the following financial integrity requirements:
			a. Keep an accurate accounting of all activities, receipts, and expenditures and annually submit to the <span class="dictionary">Secretary</span>, the Governor, and the <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> a report concerning such accountings;
			b. Fully cooperate with any investigation conducted by the <span class="dictionary">Secretary</span> pursuant to the <span class="dictionary">Secretary</span>&#x2019;s authority under the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span> and allow the <span class="dictionary">Secretary</span>, in coordination with the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to: <a id="paragraph-274465" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#17"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="171" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Investigate the affairs of the Exchange; <a id="paragraph-274466" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#171"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="172" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Examine the properties and records of the Exchange; and <a id="paragraph-274467" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#172"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="173" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> Require periodic reports in relation to the activities undertaken by the Exchange; and
				c. Not use any funds in carrying out its activities under this chapter that are intended for the administrative and operational expenses of the Exchange for staff retreats, promotional giveaways, excessive executive compensation, or promotion of federal or state legislative and regulatory modifications; <a id="paragraph-274468" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#173"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="18"><p><span class="prefix-number">18.</span> In collaboration with the Department of Medical Assistance Services, coordinate the operations of the Exchange with the operations of the state plan for medical assistance to determine initial and ongoing eligibility for those programs in a streamlined fashion; <a id="paragraph-274469" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#18"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="19"><p><span class="prefix-number">19.</span> Identify systems, policies, and practices to achieve the requirements of subdivisions 8 and 18 and in doing so, consult with stakeholders, including the Department of Taxation, the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Department of Social Services, consumer groups, <span class="dictionary">insurers</span>, health care providers, <span class="dictionary">navigators</span> or other consumer assisters, insurance brokers or agents, and other relevant stakeholders selected by the Exchange; <a id="paragraph-274470" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#19"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="20"><p><span class="prefix-number">20.</span> Prepare an annual marketing plan that includes consumer outreach, licensed health <span class="dictionary">insurance agents</span>, and <span class="dictionary">navigator</span> programs; and <a id="paragraph-274471" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#20"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="21"><p><span class="prefix-number">21.</span> Take any other actions necessary and appropriate to ensure that the Exchange complies with the requirements of the <span class="dictionary">Federal Act</span>. <a id="paragraph-274472" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/38.2-6505/#21"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>2020, cc. 916, 917; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 162; 2022, cc. 250, 251.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
