---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 300gg–93"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "300gg–93"
heading: "Health insurance consumer information"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/300gg-93"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter XXV — Requirements Relating to Health Insurance Coverage"
  - "Part C — Definitions; Miscellaneous Provisions"
---

# §300gg–93. Health insurance consumer information

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall award grants to [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) to enable such [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) (or the [Exchanges](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-21) operating in such [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f)) to establish, expand, or provide support for—
  - (1) offices of health insurance consumer assistance; or
  - (2) health insurance ombudsman [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4).
- (b) **Eligibility—**
  - (1) **In general—** To be eligible to receive a grant, a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) shall designate an independent office of health insurance consumer assistance, or an ombudsman, that, directly or in coordination with [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) health insurance regulators and consumer assistance organizations, receives and responds to inquiries and complaints concerning [health insurance coverage](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=b-1) with respect to Federal health insurance requirements and under [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) law.
  - (2) **Criteria—** A [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) that receives a grant under this section shall comply with criteria established by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) for carrying out activities under such grant.
- (c) **Duties—** The office of health insurance consumer assistance or health insurance ombudsman shall—
  - (1) assist with the filing of complaints and appeals, including filing appeals with the internal appeal or grievance process of the [group health plan](/usc/42/300bb–8.md?p=1) or [health insurance issuer](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=b-2) involved and providing information about the external appeal process;
  - (2) collect, track, and quantify problems and inquiries encountered by consumers;
  - (3) educate consumers on their rights and responsibilities with respect to [group health plans](/usc/42/300bb–8.md?p=1) and [health insurance coverage](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=b-1);
  - (4) assist consumers with enrollment in a [group health plan](/usc/42/300bb–8.md?p=1) or [health insurance coverage](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=b-1) by providing information, referral, and assistance; and
  - (5) resolve problems with obtaining premium tax credits under [section 36B of title 26](/usc/26/36B.md).
- (d) **Data collection—** As a condition of receiving a grant under [subsection (a)](#a), an office of health insurance consumer assistance or ombudsman [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) shall be required to collect and report data to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) on the types of problems and inquiries encountered by consumers. The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall utilize such data to identify areas where more enforcement action is necessary and shall share such information with [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) insurance regulators, the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) of Labor, and the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) of the Treasury for use in the enforcement activities of such [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
- (e) **Funding—**
  - (1) **Initial funding—** There is hereby appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c), out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $30,000,000 for the first fiscal year for which this section applies to carry out this section. Such amount shall remain available without fiscal year limitation.
  - (2) **Authorization for subsequent years—** There is authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) for each fiscal year following the fiscal year described in [paragraph (1)](#e-1), such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXVII, § 2793, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title I, § 1002, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 138.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective for fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 2010, see section 1004(a) of Pub. L. 111–148, set out as a note under section 300gg–11 of this title.

Section effective Mar. 23, 2010, see section 1004(b) of Pub. L. 111–148, set out as a note under section 300gg–11 of this title.