2 Alaska Admin. Code § 39.280

Current through May 31, 2024

Section 2 AAC 39.280 - Change by the administrator in coverage and premiums

(a) When necessary to maintain the financial integrity of the plan, the administrator may change the premiums and the terms of coverage.

(b) To change the benefits provided under dental-vision-audio insurance coverage, the administrator shall

(1) propose changes to the coverage; in drafting the proposal, the administrator shall consider the

(A) background and rationale for the proposed change;

(B) details and objectives of the proposed change;

(C) potential impact on benefit recipients;

(D) actuarial, financial, and operational impacts on the dental-vision-audio insurance plan; and

(E) input from stakeholders;

(2) post notice of the proposed change on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and the administrator's public Internet website, providing a minimum 30-day public notice and comment period, during which benefit recipients may review and provide comment prior to the adoption of a final proposal; notice under this paragraph must include

(A) a summary of the proposed change;

(B) instructions for accessing the draft proposed change;

(C) a deadline for written comments on the proposed change to be submitted by the public; and

(D) the time and place of any hearings at which oral comments from the public will be accepted;

(3) provide outreach to benefit recipients about the proposed change;

(4) consider comments submitted in response to public notice under this subsection; and

(5) issue a decision to adopt or reject a final proposal to change the benefits provided under dental-vision-audio insurance coverage after the close of the public comment period.

(c) The administrator may amend the description of dental-vision-audio insurance coverage published in the plan booklet. To amend the description of dental-vision-audio insurance coverage published in the plan booklet, the administrator shall

(1) propose amendments that clarify the benefits provided under the existing dental-vision-audio insurance coverage or that implement the changes adopted under (b) of this section;

(2) post notice of the proposed amendment on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and the administrator's public Internet website, providing a minimum 30-day public notice and comment period, during which benefit recipients may review and provide comment prior to the adoption of a final amendment; notice under this paragraph must include

(A) a summary of the proposed amendment;

(B) instructions for accessing the draft proposed amendment and comparison of proposed changes to current plan booklet language;

(C) a deadline for written comments on the proposed amendment to be submitted by the public; and

(D) the time and place of any hearings at which oral comments from the public will be accepted;

(3) provide outreach to benefit recipients about the proposed amendment;

(4) consider comments submitted in response to the public notice; and

(5) issue a decision to adopt or reject a final amendment to the description of dental-vision-audio insurance coverage published in the plan booklet after the close of the public comment period.

(d) Notwithstanding (b) and (c) of this section, the administrator may adopt an emergency amendment to the description of dental-vision-audio insurance coverage published in the plan booklet. An emergency amendment to the description of dental-vision-audio insurance coverage published in the plan booklet is effective immediately. To adopt an emergency amendment to the description of dental-vision-audio insurance coverage published in the plan booklet, the administrator must find that the emergency amendment is necessary in response to

(1) a public health or other state or national emergency;

(2) emerging technology or medical treatments and services; or

(3) a need for the immediate preservation of the orderly operation of the dental-vision-audio insurance plan.

(e) The administrator shall, not later than 10 days after the adoption of an emergency amendment, give public notice of the emergency coverage in accordance with (c) of this section.

2 AAC 39.280

Eff. 7/1/82; am 5/31/87, Register 102; am 2/1/93, Register 125, am 11/30/2023, Register 248, January 2024

Authority:AS 39.30.090

AS 39.30.098